Fluorinated Azobenzenes Switchable with Red Light

Molecular photoswitches triggered with red or NIR light are optimal for photomodulation of complex biological systems, including efficient penetration of the human body for therapeutic purposes (“therapeutic window”). Yet, they are rarely reported, and even more rarely functional under aqueous conditions. In this work, fluorinated azobenzenes are shown to exhibit efficient E→Z photoisomerization with red light (PSS_660nm >75 % Z) upon conjugation with unsaturated substituents. Initially demonstrated for aldehyde groups, this effect was also observed in a more complex structure by incorporating the chromophore into a cyclic dipeptide with propensity for self-assembly. Under physiological conditions, the latter molecule formed a supramolecular material that reversibly changed its viscosity upon irradiation with red light. Our observation can lead to design of new photopharmacology agents or phototriggered materials for in vivo use.     

Bestimmung von Mikromengen Schwefel nach Aufspaltung des S8-Ringes in Indium-, Blei-, Antimonund Wismutsulfiden mit Hilfe einer induzierten Reaktion von Natriumazid mit Jod

Zusammenfassung Die Bestimmungsmethode für Mikromengen elementaren, in Sulfiden enthaltenen Schwefels mit Natriumazid und Jod wurde modifiziert. Der Analyse geht die Aufspaltung des S₈-Ringes voraus, die man dank der nukleophilen Wirkung von N₃ ^– in DMF-Lösung erreicht. Diese Methode wurde auf die Bestimmung des Schwefels in Indium-, Blei-, Antimon- und Wismutsulfid angewandt. Sie ist einfach und empfindlich. Ihre Fehlergrenze liegt bei ± 4%.

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Determination of microamounts of sulfur after cleavage of the S₈ king in indium, lead, antimony and bismuth sulfides by means of an induced reaction of sodium azide with iodine

Summary The determination of microamounts of elemental sulfur contained in sulfides using sodium azide and iodine was modified. The analysis was preceded by cleavage of the S₈ ring, which is achieved by virtue of the nucleophilic action of N₃ ^– in DMF solution. This method was applied to the determination of sulfur in indium, lead, antimony and bismuth sulfides. It is simple and sensitive. Its limit of error is ±4%.

     

Limit distributions and one-parameter groups of linear operators on Banach spaces

Let = {U_t: t > 0} be a strongly continuous one-parameter group of operators on a Banach space X and Q be any subset of a set (X) of all probability measures on X. By (Q; ) we denote the class of all limit measures of {U_tn(μ₁ * μ₂*…*μ_n)*δ_xn}, where {μ_n}Q, {x_n}X and measures U_tnμ_j (j=1, 2,…, n; N=1, 2,…) form an infinitesimal triangular array. We define classes L_m( ) as follows: L₀( )= ( (X); ), L_m( )= (L_m−1( ); ) for m=1, 2,… and L_∞( )=_m=0^∞L_m( ). These classes are analogous to those defined earlier by Urbanik on the real line. Probability distributions from L_m( ), m=0, 1, 2,…, ∞, are described in terms of their characteristic functionals and their generalized Poisson exponents and Gaussian covariance operators.     

On the definition of the Monge-Ampère operator in ℂ<Superscript>2</Superscript>

We show that if u is a plurisubharmonic function defined on an open subset of ² then the Monge-Ampère measure (dd^cu)² can be well defined if and only if u belongs to the Sobolev space W^1,2_loc().Partially supported by KBN Grant #2 P03A 028 19     

Linear Automorphisms that are Symplectomorphisms

Let K be the field of real or complex numbers. Let (X K²ⁿ,) be a symplectic vector space and take 0 < k < n,N =. Let L₁,...,L_N X be 2k-dimensionallinear subspaces which are in a sufficiently general position.It is shown that if F : X X is a linear automorphism whichpreserves the form ^k on all subspaces L₁,...,L_N, then F is an_k-symplectomorphism (that is, F^* = _k, where ). In particular, if K = R and k is odd then F mustbe a symplectomorphism. The unitary version of this theoremis proved as well. It is also observed that the set A_l,2r ofall l-dimensional linear subspaces on which the form has rank 2r is linear in the Grassmannian G(l,2n), that is, there isa linear subspace L such that A_l,2r = L G(l, 2n). In particular,the set A_l,2r can be computed effectively. Finally, the notionof symplectic volume is introduced and it is proved that itis another strong invariant.     

Generalization of the lineshape useful in magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A new lineshape function is derived from the Tsallis distribution to describe electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, and possibly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra as well. This lineshape generalizes the Gaussian and Lorentzian lineshapes that are widely used in simulations. The main features of this lineshape function are presented: the normalization, moments, and first derivative. A number of experimental EPR spectra are compared with the results of simulations employing the new lineshape function. The results show that the new lineshape often provides a better approximation of the experimental spectrum. It is also shown that the new parameter of the lineshape function can be used to quantify the intermolecular spin-spin interactions.     

From 1/f noise to multifractal cascades in heartbeat dynamics

We explore the degree to which concepts developed in statistical physics can be usefully applied to physiological signals. We illustrate the problems related to physiologic signal analysis with representative examples of human heartbeat dynamics under healthy and pathologic conditions. We first review recent progress based on two analysis methods, power spectrum and detrended fluctuation analysis, used to quantify long-range power-law correlations in noisy heartbeat fluctuations. The finding of power-law correlations indicates presence of scale-invariant, fractal structures in the human heartbeat. These fractal structures are represented by self-affine cascades of beat-to-beat fluctuations revealed by wavelet decomposition at different time scales. We then describe very recent work that quantifies multifractal features in these cascades, and the discovery that the multifractal structure of healthy dynamics is lost with congestive heart failure. The analytic tools we discuss may be used on a wide range of physiologic signals. (c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.