Hamiltonian limit of the 3D Zamolodchikov model

A two-dimensional quantum Hamiltonian _N,M commuting with the layer-to-layer transfer matrix of the three-dimensional Zamolodchikov model is derived. This Hamiltonian is defined on a lattice ofN×M sites. The special casesN×2, 2×M, and 3×M are studied.This paper is dedicated to Cyril Domb.     

Abundant stable gauge field hair for black holes in anti-de Sitter space

We present new hairy black hole solutions of SU(N) Einstein-Yang-Mills (EYM) theory in asymptotically anti-de Sitter (AdS) space. These black holes are described by N+1 independent parameters and have N-1 independent gauge field degrees of freedom. Solutions in which all gauge field functions have no zeros exist for all N, and for a sufficiently large (and negative) cosmological constant. At least some of these solutions are shown to be stable under classical, linear, spherically symmetric perturbations. Therefore there is no upper bound on the amount of stable gauge field hair with which a black hole in AdS can be endowed.     

Study of ferromagnetism–superconductivity interactions in Co/Nb multilayers

We investigate Co/Nb multilayers to explore the spontaneous π-phase shift between the superconducting (SC) layers, which is attributed for causing the non-monotonic change of the SC transition temperature (T_c) with the ferromagnetic (FM) layer thickness (t_FM) in several FM/SC multilayered systems. The issue of interfacial roughness is also explored by growing Co/Nb multilayers at various sputtering pressures. Transport measurements show a non-monotonic dependence of T_c on t_FM, and this dependence is insensitive to the structural variation present in the samples, as measured by X-ray scattering.     

Functional MRI and multivariate autoregressive models

Connectivity refers to the relationships that exist between different regions of the brain. In the context of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it implies a quantifiable relationship between hemodynamic signals from different regions. One aspect of this relationship is the existence of small timing differences in the signals in different regions. Delays of 100 ms or less may be measured with fMRI, and these may reflect important aspects of the manner in which brain circuits respond as well as the overall functional organization of the brain. The multivariate autoregressive time series model has features to recommend it for measuring these delays and is straightforward to apply to hemodynamic data. In this review, we describe the current usage of the multivariate autoregressive model for fMRI, discuss the issues that arise when it is applied to hemodynamic time series and consider several extensions. Connectivity measures like Granger causality that are based on the autoregressive model do not always reflect true neuronal connectivity; however, we conclude that careful experimental design could make this methodology quite useful in extending the information obtainable using fMRI.     

The thermodynamics of mixing C6 and C7 compounds with a bicyclic compound at infinite dilution

The activity coefficients at infinite dilution have been measured at 25°C for cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, benzene, n-hexane, 1-hexene, 1-hexyne, n-heptane, 1-heptene and 1-heptyne in decahydronaphthalene, bicyclohexyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and cyclohexylbenzene. These results, together with previously determined H _m ^E and V _m ^E have been used to calculate the partial molar excess thermodynamic properties of mixing at infinite dilution.     

Twistophane macrocyles with integrated 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine units: a new lead class of fluorescence sensors for metal ions

The new twistophane macrocycles 2 and 3 have been synthesised; these compounds are composed of a cyclically conjugated dehydrobenzoannulene framework that incorporates 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine moieties for the purpose of coordinating metal ions. The cyclophanes were characterised by spectroscopic techniques, and shown by molecular mechanics calculations to be helically twisted and chiral molecules that may exist in several possible ground state conformations. UV/vis spectroscopic studies revealed that 2, 3 and precursor 9 bind with different selectivities to particular members of the following small group of metal analytes: CuII, AgI, HgII, Tl1 and PdII. Significantly, 2, 3 and 9 signal the presence of CuII ions through fluorescence emission quenching output responses. Furthermore, cyclophane 3 exhibited a particularly sensitive protontriggered chromogenic fluorescence response. With respect to their unique structural features, high analyte selectivity coupled with their enhanced and characteristic fluorescence emission responses, these molecules are among the first examples representing a new lead class of chemosensory materials. Compounds 2, 3 and 9 and derivatives thereof may, therefore, be expected to find many future applications in the detection of metal-based environmental pollutants, biologically important trace elements and monitoring proton fluxes.     

Detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk,honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor

Immuno-biosensor inhibition assays for the detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in whole cows' milk, honey, pig kidney and pig muscle are reported. The antibody showed high cross-reactivity with dihydrostreptomycin in various foodstuffs (buffer 103%, milk 96%, honey 84%, kidney extract 129% and muscle extract 98%). There was no significant cross-reaction with other aminoglycosides or commonly used antibiotics. A streptomycin derivative was used to prepare a stable, reusable sensor chip surface. The assay allowed the direct analysis of bovine whole milk (fat content approximately 3.5%). Honey samples required dilution with buffer, while kidney and muscle samples from pigs were homogenized in an aqueous extraction buffer and clarified by centrifugation. The limit of detection for each assay was determined from known streptomycin-free samples (n = 20; mean - (3 x standard deviation)) and the results were as follows: milk 30 microg kg(-1), honey 15 microg kg(-1), kidney 50 microg kg(-1) and muscle 70 microg kg(-1). Repeatability (or relative standard deviation) between runs were calculated (n = 3) at the respective Community maximum residue limits (MRL) and 0.5 x MRL with the exception of honey since no European MRL exists at present. Results were determined as 4.3% (200 microg kg(-1)) and 2.8% (100 microg kg(-1)) in milk, 13.3% (40 microg kg(-1)) and 9.5% (20 microg kg(-1)) in honey, 7.1% (1000 microg kg(-1)) and 7.6% (500 microg kg(-1)) in kidney and 7.1% (500 microg kg(-1)) and 11% (250 microg kg(-1)) in muscle.     

Highly enantioselective Mannich reactions with α-aryl silyl ketene acetals and imines

Mannich reactions with chiral silicon Lewis acid activated acylhydrazones and α-aryl silyl ketene acetals and α-aryl,α-alkyl silyl ketene imines proceed efficiently and with good to excellent levels of both diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. The reactions provide access to α-aryl,β-hydrazido esters and α-aryl,α-alkyl,β-hydrazido nitriles, which are valuable analogs of β-amino acids.     

Use of biosensors for rapid drug residue analysis without sample deconjugation or clean-up: a possible way forward.

The drug salbutamol (SBL) is a beta-agonist that may be used illegally as an animal growth promoter. SBL is also a good example of a drug which is excreted in the form of glucuronides and sulfates. Such metabolites cause complexities in analysing for the presence of drug residues. In the majority of cases a process of deconjugation and sample clean-up is required prior to analysis. This is both time consuming and causes some loss of accuracy. In this study, the urine of calves treated with SBL orally for 3 d was collected during and after medication. Samples were assayed before and after hydrolysis by two different methods, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and a newly developed biosensor immunoassay (BIA). Some samples were also analysed by GC-MS. The results clearly showed that both screening assays (RIA and BIA) found high concentrations of SBL residues throughout the study. This was especially true in the BIA method. It was also demonstrated that urine sample analysis without the need for deconjugation or clean-up could be achieved. Results obtained by GC-MS tended to be an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding screening test results. This work showed that biosensor based veterinary drug residue testing procedures can be developed which can generate results in real time without the need for time consuming sample preparation.