Superenergy of Gravitational Waves in the Exact Theory

Gravitational waves and radiation in the exact theory are studied in a unique framework. The observer's point of view is introduced. Some results by Lichnerowicz are generalized and interpreted in terms of reference frames. This allows us to recognize the role played by the gravitational force field in the exact generalization of Bel's superenergy flux theorem. It is also possible to recover the usual concept of wave as energy transmission, by means of a suitable superenergy scalar.     

Total synthesis of (±)-cyclooroidin

The first total synthesis of (±)-cyclooroidin, a member of the pyrrole-imidazole alkaloid family recently isolated from the sponge Agelas oroides in optically pure form, is described. The synthesis was achieved in nine linear steps, with an overall yield of 10%. Key step was a Wolff bromoketone synthesis performed on the intermediate longamide B.     

A New Technique for Preserving Conservation Laws

Foundations of Computational Mathematics - This paper introduces a new symbolic-numeric strategy for finding semidiscretizations of a given PDE that preserve multiple local conservation laws. We...     

Structure‐Dependent Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Fullerodendrimers with Light‐Harvesting Oligophenylenevinylene Terminals

Oligophenylenevinylene (OPV)‐terminated phenylenevinylene dendrons G1 – G4 with one, two, four, and eight “side‐arms”, respectively, were prepared and attached to C₆₀ by a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ from dendritic aldehydes and N‐methylglycine. The relative electronic absorption of the OPV moiety increases progressively along the fullerodendrimer family C₆₀G1 – C₆₀G4 , reaching a 99:1 ratio for C₆₀G4 (antenna effect). UV/Vis and near‐IR luminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy was used to elucidate photoinduced energy and electron transfer in C₆₀G1 – C₆₀G4 as a function of OPV moiety size and solvent polarity (toluene, dichloromethane, benzonitrile), taking into account the fact that the free‐energy change for electron transfer is the same along the series owing to the invariability of the donor–acceptor couple. Regardless of solvent, all the fullerodendrimers exhibit ultrafast OPV→C₆₀ singlet energy transfer. In CH₂Cl₂, the OPV→C₆₀ electron transfer from the lowest fullerene singlet level (¹C₆₀*) is slightly exergonic (ΔG_CS≈0.07 eV), but is observed, to an increasing extent, only in the largest systems C₆₀G2 – C₆₀G4 with lower activation barriers for electron transfer. This effect has been related to a decrease of the reorganization energy upon enlargement of the molecular architecture. Structural factors are also at the origin of an unprecedented OPV→C₆₀ electron transfer observed for C₆₀G3 and C₆₀G4 in apolar toluene, whereas in benzonitrile, electron transfer occurs in all cases. Monitoring of the lowest fullerene triplet state by sensitized singlet oxygen luminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy shows that this level is populated through intersystem crossing and is not involved in photoinduced electron transfer.     

Asymptotic Information-Theoretic Detection of Dynamical Organization in Complex Systems

The identification of emergent structures in complex dynamical systems is a formidable challenge. We propose a computationally efficient methodology to address such a challenge, based on modeling the state of the system as a set of random variables. Specifically, we present a sieving algorithm to navigate the huge space of all subsets of variables and compare them in terms of a simple index that can be computed without resorting to simulations. We obtain such a simple index by studying the asymptotic distribution of an information-theoretic measure of coordination among variables, when there is no coordination at all, which allows us to fairly compare subsets of variables having different cardinalities. We show that increasing the number of observations allows the identification of larger and larger subsets. As an example of relevant application, we make use of a paradigmatic case regarding the identification of groups in autocatalytic sets of reactions, a chemical situation related to the origin of life problem.     

Observational effects from quantum cosmology

The status of quantum cosmologies as testable models of the early universe is assessed in the context of inflation. While traditional Wheeler–DeWitt quantization is unable to produce sizable effects in the cosmic microwave background, the more recent loop quantum cosmology can generate potentially detectable departures from the standard cosmic spectrum. Thus, present observations constrain the parameter space of the model, which could be made falsifiable by near‐future experiments.     

Thermodynamic basis for viscoelastic and non-isothermal fracture mechanics

Stability criteria for crack propagation have been analysed which are based on the second law of thermodynamics. The isothermal case has been studied both for elastic and viscoelastic materials. The non-isothermal criteria have been considered with particular attention to a fast adiabatic loading process.The thermodynamic constitutive equations which are demanded and their relationships with the elastic energy have been analyzed.     

Frequency-stabilized seed laser system for dial applications around 0.94 μm

Absolute frequency stabilization of an extended-cavity diode laser at 0.94 μm is reported. The diode laser was frequency locked against rovibrational absorption lines of water vapour by using the frequency modulation spectroscopy technique. The stabilized oscillator shows a short-term frequency stability level of 40 kHz for integration times of 1 s and a long-term frequency drift lower than 10 MHz for observation times longer than 10³ s. The frequency-stabilized oscillator system is mounted on a compact breadboard (75 cm×50 cm) and constitutes the seed laser system for the injection of a high-energy DIAL laser transmitter operating in the 0.94-μm spectral region.