Poly(2‐oxazoline)‐derived Contact Biocides: Contributions to the Understanding of Antimicrobial Activity

A set of poly(2‐oxazoline)‐derived (co‐)polymers was prepared by microwave‐assisted polymerizations and acid‐mediated hydrolysis and tested for antimicrobial activity in 50 × 50 × 2 mm PP compound plates containing 5 wt% of the polymers. Antimicrobial activity against gram‐negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa as well as C. albicans depended only on the degree of hydrolysis, while antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus was only observed for hydrolyzed poly(2‐nonyl‐2‐oxazoline)s. The surface energies of the compound plates compared to pure PP were hardly altered, and the compounds can be considered as alternatives for PP. The presence of the biocide additives at the surface of the PP compound plates could be shown by combined ATR‐IR, zeta potential, and SEM‐EDX measurements. Antimicrobial activity was maintained during double incubation as well as for lowered amounts of the biocide additive of 1% in PP compound plates.

     

Straightforward synthesis of cholic acid stabilized loop mimetics

We here report on a new straightforward strategy for the synthesis of cyclic cholic acid–peptide conjugates. A solid-phase synthesis method is presented in which a selected anti-lysozyme CDR3 fragment, Asp-Ser-Thr-Ile-Tyr-Ala-Ser-Tyr-Tyr-Glu-Ser, is immobilized onto a steroidal cholic acid derived scaffold in order to yield a loop-like structure. Therefore, part of the desired sequence, that is, Ser-Tyr-Tyr-Glu-Ser, is introduced, at the C12 position of the scaffold. Subsequently, the remainder of the envisaged sequence is introduced at C3 via a Cu-catalyzed cyclo-addition reaction. Finally, amide bond formation delivers the desired cyclic peptidosteroid. This new synthetic strategy offers an easy and short access to cyclic peptidosteroids via convergent peptide ligation and macrocyclization.     

Effects of envelope shape on interaural envelope delay sensitivity in acoustic and electric hearing

The envelope shape is important for the perception of interaural time difference (ITD) in the envelope as supported by the improved sensitivity for transposed tones compared to sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) tones. The present study investigated the effects of specific envelope parameters in nine normal-hearing (NH) and seven cochlear-implant (CI) listeners, using high-rate carriers with 27-Hz trapezoidal modulation. In NH listeners, increasing the off time (the silent interval in each modulation cycle) up to 12 ms, increasing the envelope slope from 6 to 8 dB/ms, and increasing the peak level improved ITD sensitivity. The combined effect of the off time and slope accounts for the gain in sensitivity for transposed tones relative to SAM tones. In CI listeners, increasing the off time up to 20 ms improved sensitivity, but increasing the slope showed no systematic effect. A 27-pulses/s electric pulse train, representing a special case of modulation with infinitely steep slopes and maximum possible off time, yielded considerably higher sensitivity compared to the best condition with trapezoidal modulation. Overall, the results of this study indicate that envelope-ITD sensitivity could be improved by using CI processing schemes that simultaneously increase the off time and the peak level of the signal envelope.     

Controlling the position of functional groups at the liquid/solid interface: impact of molecular symmetry and chirality

With the aim of controlling the position of functional groups in a substrate-supported monolayer, a new family of functionalized linear alkyl chains was designed and synthesized, aided by molecular mechanics and dynamics simulations of its two-dimensional self-assembly on graphite. The self-assembly of these amino functionalized diamides at the liquid/solid interface was investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy. Intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions involving amides, combined with the effect of molecular symmetry and chirality, were found to guide the self-assembly. Control of the relative position and orientation of the amine groups was achieved, in the case of enantiopure compounds. Interestingly, racemates led to both racemic conglomerate and solid solution formation, with a concomitant loss of positional and orientational control of the amino groups as a result.     

Mode structure of hollow dielectric waveguide lasers

The mode structure of hollow dielectric waveguide lasers with free space sections and flat mirrors is studied theoretically and experimentally. The study covers the fundamental mode and the three most important higher order modes, and graphs are given which identify regions of high mode discrimination in the parameter space. Calculated coupling losses are verified experimentally by detailed studies of the output power of CO₂ lasers as a function of resonator geometry. The intensity profile inside and outside the resonator is calculated, and the profile outside the resonator is compared with experiments for the fundamental mode as well as for the higher order modes. It is shown that in general the fundamental mode is non-Gaussian, and that drastically different output characteristics are obtained for different choice of output plane. The paper identifies design criteria for obtaining single line and single mode oscillation over a wide tuning range, even in the densest region of the CO₂ laser line spectrum, and this is exemplified by a spectroscopic application.Supported by the Danish Science Research Councils under grants no. 5.17.4.6.19 and 5.17.4.1.23 and by FLS airloq     

Determination of dipole moments in vibrationally excited CH3OH by combined far infrared laser Stark effect and transferred Lamb dip spectroscopy

Optically pumped fir laser lines in CH₃OH are studied by combined fir emission Stark effect and transferred Lamb dip spectroscopy. Effective dipole moments are determined, which are interpreted as being associated with hybridization of CO stretch states and states of a different vibrational mode, with same J but different K. Far-infrared laser lines originating from large offset absorption lines, which are Stark-tuned into coincidence, are assigned. The results suggest that the mode interacting with the CO stretch is the CH₃ symmetric rocking mode.     

Conditions for single-line and single-mode tuning of a CO2 waveguide laser

Single-mode tuning over 500 MHz in 90 lines, and 700 MHz in 70 lines is reported for a pyrex waveguide CO₂ laser in long-pulse operation. The peak power exceeds 100 W in the strongest lines, and the beam profile is diffraction limited. These features make the laser well suited as pump source for optically pumped molecular lasers.Work supported by the Danish National Science Research Council under Grant No. 11-3389