Polarized optical waveguide spectroscopy: Effective tool to analyze adsorption process of dye molecules

Real time changes of the molecular orientational state are readily analyzed with polarized optical waveguide (POW) spectroscopy. Assembly or orientation of over 20 different dye molecules in solution have been analyzed during air-drying. The dynamic behavior of dyes including both orientational direction and degree of aggregation has been discussed with the key group structures of dyes. We suggest that certain interaction between dimethylimino residue of dyes and silanol residue of the waveguide surface should be responsible for these orientational changes. Furthermore, greater aggregation of these dyes tended to give rise to perpendicular orientation on the waveguide surface.     

Esterification of carboxylic acids catalyzed by in situ generated tetraalkylammonium fluorides

Esterification of carboxylic acids with alkyl halides can be efficiently catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) generated in situ from tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate (TBAHSO₄) and KF·2H₂O in THF. The general applicability and the characteristic feature of this approach has been amply demonstrated.     

Fmoc-based solid-phase synthesis of adenylylated peptides using diester-type adenylylated amino acid derivatives

Phosphodiester-type adenylylated (AMPylated) Ser, Thr, and Tyr derivatives were developed for Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis of AMPylated peptides. One-pot/sequential reaction consisting of condensation of an N-nonprotected adenosine derivative and Fmoc-Ser/Thr/Tyr-OAllyl using allyl-N,N-diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite and subsequent oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave phosphotriester-type AMPylated Ser/Thr/Tyr derivatives. After Pd(0)-mediated deprotection of allyl groups, the resulting phosphodiester-type AMPylated Ser/Thr/Tyr derivatives were successfully incorporated into peptides by standard Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis without significant side reactions including dehydroalanine formation.     

Salem numbers in dynamics on Kähler threefolds and complex tori

Let \(X\) be a compact Kähler manifold of dimension \(k\!\le \! 4\) and \(f{:}X\!\rightarrow \! X\) a pseudo-automorphism. If the first dynamical degree \(\lambda _1(f)\) is a Salem number, we show that either \(\lambda _1(f)=\lambda _{k-1}(f)\) or \(\lambda _1(f)^2=\lambda _{k-2}(f)\) . In particular, if \({\dim }(X)=3\) then \(\lambda _1(f)=\lambda _2(f)\) . We use this to show that if \(X\) is a complex 3-torus and \(f\) is an automorphism of \(X\) with \(\lambda _1(f)>1\) , then \(f\) has a non-trivial equivariant holomorphic fibration if and only if \(\lambda _1(f)\) is a Salem number. If \(X\) is a complex 3-torus having an automorphism \(f\) with \(\lambda _1(f)=\lambda _2(f)>1\) but is not a Salem number, then the Picard number of \(X\) must be 0, 3 or 9, and all these cases can be realized.     

Humic Acid Improves Zn Fertilization in Oxisols Successively Cultivated with Maize–Brachiaria

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth, and Zn deficiency is a global issue, especially in tropical soils. This study aimed to investigate the effects of humic acid (HA) and the Zn addition (Zn sulfate + HA) on the growth of maize and brachiaria in two contrasting Oxisols. The potential complexation of Zn sulfate by HA was evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. Zinc content and its availability in solution and the shoot and root biomass of maize and brachiaria were determined. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the complexation of Zn sulfate by HA through its S and C functional groups. In both Oxisols, solution Zn increased due to the combined use of Zn and HA. In a soil type-dependent manner, maize biomass and Zn in its shoots were affected only by the exclusive use of Zn fertilization. In the Yellow Oxisol, brachiaria growth and Zn accumulated in its shoot were positively affected by the combined use of Zn fertilization with HA. In the Oxisol with lower organic matter content, HA can assure adequate supplying of residual Zn, while increasing growth of brachiaria cultivated in sequence to maize.