New reals: Can live with them,can live without them

We give a self‐contained proof of the preservation theorem for proper countable support iterations known as “tools‐preservation”, “Case A” or “first preservation theorem” in the literature. We do not assume that the forcings add reals. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electronic Structure and Photophysical Properties of Isoindole and its Benzo[f]- and Dibenzo[e,g]-Derivatives

The synthesis of N-methyl-benz[f]isoindole ( 2 ) and N-methyl-dibenz[e,g]isoindole ( 3 ) is reported. The NMR. spectra of N-methyl-isoindole ( 1 ) and of 2 have been analysed and the implications concerning the alternation of bond lengths are discussed. The photophysical properties of 1 to 3 have been investigated by the following methods: HeI photoelectron (PE.) spectroscopy, UV./VIS. absorption (polarization measurements by the stretched-foil technique) and emission spectroscopy (fluorescence spectra, lifetimes and quantum yields, phosphorescence spectra), and flash spectroscopy (triplet-triplet absorption spectra). The discussion of the results is based on HMO. and PPP SCF CI. calculations and points to the relationship between the heterocycles 1 to 3 and the corresponding benzenoid hydrocarbons obtained by replacement of the ? NMe? subunit by ? CH?CH? . Some comments concerning the ground state properties of isoindole and related compounds are derived from the analysis of their electronic structure.     

Electronic Structure and Photophysical Properties of Planar Conjugated Hydrocarbons with 4n-Membered Rings. I. Photoelectron Spectra of 1,5,9-Tridehydro[12]-annulene and Related Compounds

The HeI photoelectron spectra of the title compound 1 (1,5,9-cyclododecatriene-3,7,11-triyne), 1,5-didehydro[12]annulene (1,3,5,9-cyclododecatetraene-7, 11-diyne ( 2 )), sym-tri-benzotridehydro[12]annulene (tribenzo[a,e,i]-5,6,11,12,17,18-hexadehydrocyclododecene ( 3 )), and sym-dibenzodidehydro[8]annulene (dibenzo[a,e]-5,6,11,12-tetradehydrocyclooctene ( 4 )) have been recorded and analysed on the basis of various semi-empirical model calculations. Despite the distinct bond length alternation in the parent compounds and, apparently, in the radical cations, the first ionization occurs at low energies in these compounds (7.6 ± 0.2 eV). The spectra yield little information with regard to the transannular interactions of the triple bonds.     

Asymptotics of heavy atoms in high magnetic fields: II. Semiclassical regions

The ground state energy of an atom of nuclear chargeZe in a magnetic fieldB is exactly evaluated to leading order asZ in the following three regions:BZ ^4/3,BZ ^4/3 andZ ^4/3BZ³. In each case this is accomplished by a modified Thomas-Fermi (TF) type theory. We also analyze these TF theories in detail, one of their consequences being the nonintuitive fact that atoms are spherical (to leading order) despite the leading order change in energy due to theB field. This paper complements and completes our earlier analysis [1], which was primarily devoted to the regionsBZ ³ andBZ³ in which a semiclassical TF analysis is numerically and conceptually wrong. There are two main mathematical results in this paper, needed for the proof of the exactitude of the TF theories. One is a generalization of the Lieb-Thirring inequality for sums of eigenvalues to include magnetic fields. The second is a semiclassical asymptotic formula for sums of eigenvalues that isuniform in the fieldB.Work partially supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grant PHY90-19433 A02Work partially supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grant DMS 92-03829Work partially supported by the Heraeus Stiftung and the Research Fund of the University of Iceland.     

Nonlinear acoustic resonances in shock tubes with varying cross-sectional area

Summary Second-order resonance effects in closed tubes with varying cross-sectional area are investigated. It is seen that for tubes with cross-sectional areasA(x)x ^–2 solutions for the pressure disturbances can be found, as was done by W. Chester in case of tubes with constant cross-sectional area.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden Resonanzeffekte zweiter Ordnung in Rohren mit veränderlicher Querschnittsfläche betrachtet. Ist die QuerschnittsflächeA(x)x ^–2, so können die Druckstörungen in Analogie zu Chesters Theorie analytisch berechnet werden.

     

Proteome Analysis of Aflibercept Intervention in Experimental Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Aflibercept is a frequently used inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the treatment of macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Retinal proteome changes following aflibercept intervention in CRVO remain largely unstudied. Studying proteomic changes of aflibercept intervention may generate a better understanding of mechanisms of action and uncover aspects related to the safety profile. In 10 Danish Landrace pigs, CRVO was induced in both eyes with an argon laser. Right eyes were treated with intravitreal aflibercept while left control eyes received isotonic saline water. Retinal samples were collected 15 days after induced CRVO. Proteomic analysis by tandem mass tag-based mass spectrometry identified a total of 21 proteins that were changed in content following aflibercept intervention. In retinas treated with aflibercept, high levels of aflibercept components were reached, including the VEGF receptor-1 and VEGF receptor-2 domains. Fold changes in the additional proteins ranged between 0.70 and 1.19. Aflibercept intervention resulted in a downregulation of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) (fold change = 0.84) and endoplasmin (fold change = 0.91). The changes were slight and could thereby not be confirmed with less precise immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Our data suggest that aflibercept had a narrow mechanism of action in the CRVO model. This may be an important observation in cases when macular edema secondary to CRVO is resistant to aflibercept intervention.     

Separation of Dihydro-Isocoumarins and Dihydro-Stilbenoids from Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. serrata by Use of Counter-Current Chromatography

Previously, different Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. serrata cultivars were investigated by untargeted LC-MS analysis. From this, a list of tentatively identified and unknown compounds that differ significantly between these cultivars was obtained. Due to the lack of reference compounds, especially for dihydro-isocoumarins, we aimed to isolate and structurally characterise these compounds from the cultivar ‘Yae-no-amacha’ using NMR and LC-MS methods. For purification and isolation, counter-current chromatography was used in combination with reversed-phase preparative HPLC as an orthogonal and enhanced purification workflow. Thirteen dihydro-isocoumarins in combination with other metabolites could be isolated and structurally identified. Particularly interesting was the clarification of dihydrostilbenoid glycosides, which were described for the first time in H. macrophylla ssp. serrata. These results will help us in further studies on the biological interpretation of our data.     

Octet-baryon form factors in the diquark model

We present an alternative parameterization of the quark-diquark model of baryons which particularly takes care of the most recent proton electric form-factor data from the E136 experiment at SLAC. In addition to electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon, for which good agreement with data is achieved, we discuss the weak axial vector form factor of the nucleon as well as electromagnetic form factors of and hyperons. Technical advance in calculating the pertinent analytic expressions within perturbative quantum chromodynamics is gained by formulating the wave function of the quark-diquark system in a covariant way. Finally, we also comment on the influence of Sudakov corrections within the scope of the diquark model.Sponsored in part by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, Germany, under contract number 06 Wu 737     

Assemblies from metallic and semiconducting nanocrystals

Optical properties of nanomaterials such as semiconductor and metal quantum dots are important for sensors and photovoltaic applications. We report on optical, microscopic, and AFM investigations on bulk and single nanoobjects such as metal and semiconducting nanoparticles. Firstly, of special interest is the investigation of Ag metal nanoaggregates formed in zeolites. Here, the defined structure of the zeolite serves both as size directing and a stabilizing agent. The size selected Ag aggregates fluoresce in the zeolite cages even after storage under ambient conditions for almost one year. In addition, single Ag particles escape the cages and can be investigated by fluorescence microscopy also with respect to sensor applications. Secondly, with respect to photovoltaic applications, energy transfer among organic dye molecules and semiconductor quantum dots is of great importance. We report on the extension of the optical absorption of ZnSe quantum dots into the UV regime and investigate excitation energy transfer within self-assembled nanoaggregates of surface functionalized QDs and fluorescent styrylpyridine dyes.