Strange reality: Ashtekar's variables with variations

I give a very brief review of Ashtekar's variables, with an emphasis on the non-trivial reality condition. As a toy model a formulation of spin 1/2 fields is presented, in which the Dirac equation appears as a reality condition. Then, some new ways to modify complex general relativity are mentioned. It is not known whether the new theories admit any reality condition at all.Published in Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 95, No. 2, pp. 211–213, May, 1993.     

Oscillator strengths for resonance transitions in neutral selenium and tellurium derived from time-resolved laser spectroscopy

We have measured radiative lifetimes for selenium and tellurium resonance levels by using short pulse laser excitation in differentially heated resonance cells. We obtained τ(³ S ₁ Se I)=2.9(5) ns and τ(³ S ₁ Te I)=3.1(5) ns, which together with branching ratio values given by Ubelis and Berzinsh yield the absorption oscillator strengthf _abs(Se I, 196.0 nm)=0.074(16) andf _abs(Te I, 214.3 nm)=0.098(17).     

Molecular gradients: an efficient approach for optimizing the surface properties of biomaterials and biochips

A variety of molecular gradients of alkanethiols with the structure HS-(CH(2))(m)-X (m = 15; X = COOH, CH(2)NH(2), or CH(3)) and oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkanethiols with the structures HS-(CH(2))(15)-CO-NH-Eg(n) (n = 2, 4, or 6), HS-(CH(2))(15)-CO-NH-Eg(2)-(CH(2))(2)-NH-CO-(CH(2))(4)-biotin, and HS-(CH(2))(15)-CO-NH-Eg(6)-CH(2)-COOH were prepared on polycrystalline gold films. These gradients were designed to serve as model surfaces for fundamental studies of protein adsorption and immobilization phenomena. Ellipsometry, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, operating in scanning mode, were used to monitor the layer composition, gradient profiles, tail group conformation, and overall structural quality of the gradient assemblies. The gradient profiles were found to be 4-10 mm wide, and they increased in width with increasing difference in molecular complexity between the thiols used to form the gradient. The oligo(ethylene glycol) thiols are particularly interesting because they can be used to prepare so-called conformational gradients, that is, gradients that display a variation in oligo(ethylene glycol) chain conformation from all trans on the extreme Eg(2,4) sides, via an amorphous-like phase in the mixing regimes, to helical at the extreme Eg(6) sides. We demonstrate herein a series of experiments where the above gradients are used to evaluate nonspecific binding of the plasma protein fibrinogen, and in agreement with previous studies, the highest amounts of nonspecifically bound fibrinogen were observed on all-trans monolayers, that is, on the extreme Eg(2,4) sides. Moreover, gradients between Eg(2) and a biotinylated analogue have been prepared to optimize the conditions for the immobilization of streptavidin. Ellipsometry and infrared spectroscopy reveal high levels of immobilization over a fairly broad range of compositions in the gradient regime, with a maximum between 50 and 60% of the biotinylated analogue in the monolayer. A pI gradient composed of (NH(3)(+)/COO(-))-terminated thiols was also prepared and evaluated with respect to its ability to separate differently charged proteins, pepsin, and lysozyme, on a solid surface.     

A fluorinated selenide linker for solid-phase synthesis of n-pentenyl glycosides

[reaction: see text] A fluorine-labeled selenide linker for installing terminal isolated olefins has been synthesized in high overall yield. The resin-bound linker could be glycosylated both with glycosyl trichloroacetimidates and glycosyl fluorides. The linker did not decompose after oxidation with tBuOOH but underwent beta-elimination when it was subjected to heat. This allowed the released n-pentenyl glycoside 15 to be isolated in excellent yield and purity after filtration.     

Synthesis of 2•,3•-Dideoxy-3•-<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-hydroxymethylcytidine Phosphonomethyl Derivatives

Phosphonomethyl substituted 2?,3?-Dideoxy-3?-C-hydroxymethylcytidines have been synthesized and evaluated for their anti HIV-1 activities. The sugar moiety was synthesized starting from (S)-5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-(5H)-one using photocatalyzed addition of methanol. Reduction of the lactone, condensation with silylated 4-methoxy-2(1H)pyrimidinone, followed by phosphonomethylation and deprotection gave the title compounds. The compounds were tested for inhibition of HIV-1 activity but did not show any significant antiviral activity.     

Determination of radiative lifetimes in neutral nitrogen using short laser pulses from a distributed feedback dye laser

Radiative lifetimes were determined for two short-lived states in neutral nitrogen. Following photo-dissociation and two-photon excitation employing the same UV source, excitation to higher states was performed with a distributed feedback dye laser (DFDL). The lifetimes were found to be τ(2p ²4d ⁴ D _7/2)=17(3) ns and τ(2p ²5s ⁴ P _5/2)=22(3) ns.     

Der erste Polyiodokomplex – Triethylsulfoniumtriiodomercurat(II)-tris(diiod), (Et3S)[Hg2I6]1/2 · 3 I2

The First Polyiodo Complex – Triethylsulfoniumtriiodomercurate(II)-tris(diiodine), (Et₃S)[Hg₂I₆]_1/2 · 3 I₂ After Raman spectroscopic investigation of the system HgI₂/Et₃SI_x, x = 3, 5, 7, triethylsulfoniumtriiodomercuratetris(diiodine), (Et₃S)[Hg₂I₆]_1/2 · 3 I₂ was synthesized by reacting of HgI₂ and liquid Et₃SI₇. The compound crystallizes at room temperature triclinically in the space group P1 with a = 879.4(7), b = 1 209.1(5), c = 1 291.5(5) pm, α = 96.16(3)°, β = 103.82(6)°, γ = 99.05(5)° and Z = 2. The crystal structure is composed of disordered Et₃S⁺ cations, the centrosymmetric complex anion [HgI_2/2I₂]₂^2? and three connecting iodine molecules I₂.     

A Kochen-Specker inequality from a SIC

Yu and Oh (eprint) [1] have given a state-independent proof of the Kochen-Specker theorem in three dimensions using only 13 rays. The proof consists of showing that a non-contextual hidden variable theory necessarily leads to an inequality that is violated by quantum mechanics. We give a similar proof making use of 21 rays that constitute a SIC (symmetric informationally-complete positive operator-valued measure) and a complete set of MUB (mutually unbiased bases). A theory-independent inequality is also presented using the same 21 rays, as required for experimental tests of contextuality.     

Synthesis of C 2 Symmetric Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Protease From D-Mannitol

ABSTRACT

D-Mannitol was used as precursor for the synthesis of acyclic C ₂ symmetric potential HIV-1 protease inhibitors. The 1- and 6-hydroxy groups of D-mannitol were substituted by -NHBoc, -NHValZ, -SAr, -SOAr and -SO₂Ar and the 2-and 5-hydroxy groups were benzylated. In some products one of the central hydroxyl groups was either inverted or deoxygenated. Despite a close structural similarity to previously published inhibitors none of the products showed significant inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease.