Conformal spaces

A conformal space is a non-singular metric vector space to which has been adjoined a null-cone of points at infinity. We define a conformal space in terms of a higher dimensional coordinate space, and then state and prove a fundamental theorem of conformal geometry.     

Vitamine

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry -     

Similarities and differences in the structure of 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-metal monocarbides and monoxides

The structure and properties of the monocarbides ScC, TiC, VC, CrC, MnC, FeC, CoC, NiC, CuC, ZnC and their negatively and positively charged ions together with 3 d-metal monoxide cations are calculated by density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid DFT methods. In addition to the spectroscopic constants, the computed properties include the electron affinities, ionization energies, and dissociation energies. These results along with our previous results for the neutral and negatively charged 3 d-metal monoxides allow a detailed comparison of similarity and differences in the bonding of the metal oxides and carbides. These results are compared with results obtained using other theoretical approaches and with experiment. Chemical bonding, analyzed using the natural bond orbital scheme, was found to be rather different in the 3 d-metal monocarbides and monoxides.     

Investigation of apparent mass deviations in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of a benzophenone-labeled peptide

In a previous study utilizing benzophenone-based topological probes to study conformationally dependent changes in mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) topology, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MS/MS) analysis led to a consistent -2.0 Da mass deviation from expected values. In the present study a synthetic peptide, corresponding to nAChR alpha1 subunit residues 130-139, was photolabeled. MS/MS analysis of this peptide using an ion trap confirmed the previously observed mass deviation, associated only with fragment ions that contain the incorporated benzophenone moiety. Analysis of peak profiles for the photolabeled ions does not indicate the typical 'peak fronting' that produces a mass shift when labile ions are prematurely ejected from the ion trap. Rather, hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments support the hypothesis that a chemical rearrangement involving phenyl migration and ketone formation has formed an unexpected oxidized peptide, with molecular mass 2 Da less than that expected, that is isolated for collision-induced dissociation in the ion trap together with the predicted precursor due to the broad ion isolation window specified.     

Reactions of B atoms and clusters with NO: experimental and theoretical characterization of novel molecules containing B, N, and O

Reactions of boron atoms and clusters with NO molecules in solid argon have been studied using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. The reaction products were identified by isotopic substitution ((10)B, (11)B, (15)N(16)O, (14)N(18)O, and mixtures) and comparison with density functional calculations of isotopic frequencies. In solid argon, boron atoms spontaneously reacted with NO to form the insertion molecule NBO. The BNBO and OBNNO molecules were formed by the B and NO addition reactions to NBO. The linear BBNO and BBBNO nitrosyls also were formed spontaneously on annealing. These molecules photochemically rearranged to the more stable BNBO and BNBBO isomers, which have linear polyyne-like structures. The photosensitive OBNNO molecule decomposed to form the NNBO(2) van der Waals complex. In addition, the novel OBON diradical was also formed on photolysis in high-concentration NO experiments.     

The First infrared spectra and quasirelativistic DFT studies of the US,US(2), and US(3) molecules

Laser-ablated U atoms react with discharged sulfur vapor in excess argon to form the US, US(2), and US(3) molecules, which are identified from matrix infrared spectra using sulfur isotopic substitution. Vibrational frequencies from quasirelativistic DFT calculations support these assignments and provide an insight into the bonding and structure. Unlike linear UO(2), US(2) is bent because of more favorable U(6d)-S(3p) overlap, and US(2) has a 118 +/- 5 degrees (experimental based on isotopic shift) or 121 degrees (calculated (3)B(2) ground state, B3LYP) S-U-S bond angle.     

A multireflection cell for enhanced absorbance detection in microchip-based capillary electrophoresis devices

The design, fabrication and testing of a photolithographically fabricated, glass-based multireflection absorbance cell for microfluidic devices, in particular microchip-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) systems is described. A multireflection cell was fabricated lithographically using a three-mask process to pattern aluminum mirrors above and below a flow channel in a chip, with 30 microm diameter optical entrance or exit apertures (one in each mirror) positioned 200 microm apart. Source and detector were positioned on opposite sides, and the metal mirrors were made 1 cm square, to reduce stray light effects. Calibration curves using bromothymol blue (BTB) with a 633 nm source (He:Ne laser) were linear to at least 0.5 absorbance units, with typical r2 values of 0.9997, relative standard deviations in the slopes of +/- 1.3%, and intercepts of zero within experimental error. Effective optical pathlengths of 50-272 microm were achieved, compared to single-pass pathlengths of 10-30 microm, corresponding to sensitivity enhancements (i.e., optical path length increase) of 5 to 10-fold over single-pass devices. Baseline absorbance noise varied within a factor of two in almost all devices, depending only weakly on path length. This device can give much higher absorbance sensitivity, and should be much easier to manufacture than planar, glass-based devices previously reported.     

A Hollow Stiffening Structure for Low Pressure Sensors

This paper presents a novel process for producing thin-walled hollow stiffening structures on thin silicon diaphragms using an electro-chemical etch stop process. Examples of structures produced using the method are presented together with focused ion beam (FIB) analysis of critical areas within the structure. These demonstrate the integrity the structures and show that the process is it suitable for use in MEMS sensor applications. Using this process a 30mbar full-scale differential pressure sensor has been demonstrated. The process allows for increased sensor performance, with reduced die size. Details of the pressure sensor design and characterization are presented, showing a device with 20mV/V full-scale output with linearity less than 0.4% (terminal base nonlinearity).