Hierarchical porphyrin self-assembly in aqueous solution

In aqueous solution meso-tetrakis(4-phosphonatophenyl)porphyrin shows self-aggregation processes controlled by the "sergeant-soldier rule". After partial protonation of the external phosphonic groups, it is possible (i) to further protonate the inner nitrogen atoms of the molecules or (ii) to allow, over time, the system to aggregate. Therefore, the two procedure lead to a different system evolution, producing species with different chemico-physical properties.     

Two-dimensional protein map of human vastus lateralis muscle

Protein samples of human vastus lateralis muscle were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, using immobilized pH gradients encompassing several pH regions in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. More than 500 protein spots on each gel were detected by silver staining, of which 150 were excised, digested in-gel with trypsin and characterized by matrix assisted laser desorptioin/ionization-mass spectrometry and tandem electrospray mass spectrometry. Using these techniques, 124 spots including contractile proteins and metabolic enzymes were identified. This database should provide a valuable resource for the definition of the functional properties of muscle fibres and for assessment of the influence of e.g., hypoxia, ischaemia and ageing on protein level.     

Direct detection of ion pairs by fluorescence enhancement

Sensor 1 signals the simultaneous presence of sodium and phosphate with an increased fluorescence signal in the manner of a photoionic AND logic gate.     

Infinitely many solutions of a symmetric semilinear elliptic equation on an unbounded domain

We study a semilinear elliptic equation of the form

Kazhdan-Lusztig Polynomials for 321-Hexagon-Avoiding Permutations

In (Deodhar, Geom. Dedicata, 36(1) (1990), 95–119), Deodhar proposes a combinatorial framework for determining the Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials P _x , _w in the case where W is any Coxeter group. We explicitly describe the combinatorics in the case where (the symmetric group on n letters) and the permutation w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. Our formula can be expressed in terms of a simple statistic on all subexpressions of any fixed reduced expression for w. As a consequence of our results on Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials, we show that the Poincaré polynomial of the intersection cohomology of the Schubert variety corresponding to w is (1+q) ^l(w) if and only if w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. We also give a sufficient condition for the Schubert variety X _w to have a small resolution. We conclude with a simple method for completely determining the singular locus of X _w when w is 321-hexagon-avoiding. The results extend easily to those Weyl groups whose Coxeter graphs have no branch points (B C _n , F ₄, G ₂).     

Observation and characterization of the fluorescence decay of the 2s2p(6)np 1P(o) excited states of Ne

Fluorescence decay of the 2s2p(6)np (1)P(o) excited states of neon has been observed directly for the first time. This process has also been observed indirectly by threshold photoelectron spectroscopy and in electron/photon coincidences. The measurements have allowed this weak decay channel to be characterized and branching ratios derived. The fluorescence excitation spectrum is well described by a simple Rydberg model that highlights the interplay and competition between the decay channels of autoionization and fluorescence.     

Phospha-Michael addition of phosphorus nucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated malonates using 3-aminopropylated silica gel as an efficient and recyclable catalyst

3-Aminopropylated silica gel, which is prepared from commercially available and cheap starting materials, is introduced as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the phospha-Michael addition of phosphorus nucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated malonates. Short reaction times, mild reaction conditions, ease of recovery and catalyst reusability make this method a new, economic and waste-free chemical process for the synthesis of β-phosphonomalonates.