Structural and magnetic properties of Ni/Pt multilayers

In this work, the variation of the magnetic moments of the Ni/Pt multilayers are studied using the linearized augmented plane waves (LAPW) method in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) implemented in the version of WIEN2K program. The systems have been modeled by seven layers slab separated in z direction by a vacuum region of four substrate layers. We present the results of the dependence of the magnetic properties with respect to the thickness variation of the different multilayers. The modeling of these systems finds an important empirical support. Experiment and theory show the same trends for the magnetic moments: hybridization effects between Ni and Pt are mostly localized at the interface.     

Dirac on Gauges and Constraints

We examine the relevance of Dirac's view on the use of transformation theory and invariants in modern physics to current reflections on the meaning of physical symmetries, especially gauge symmetries.     

Age related changes in the thermal transition of Turkey leg flexor tendon collagen

A differential scanning calorimetric, thermogravimetric and electron microscopic investigation has been carried out on the uncalcified areas of turkey leg flexor tendon as a function of age. Rehydrated samples exhibit an increase of thermal stability with age. The H_D values drop from about 11 cal·g^–1 in the first weeks of life down to 7 cal·g^–1 after the 11th week.At about 11 weeks, the collagen fibril diameter distribution passes from unimodal to multimodal. The DSC curves as well as the TG-DTG curves recorded from dried samples do not show any appreciable difference with ageing. The variations in thermal behaviour of rehydrated samples and fibril diameter distribution could be related to modifications in water binding with ageing.The Authors are grateful to Dr. G. Fabris for discussion and help in the selection of the samples. They also wish to thank Mr. G. Pizzuto for excellent technical assistance. The financial support by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche is gratefully acknowledged.     

Free differential algebras: Their use in field theory and dual formulation

The gauging of free differential algebras (FDA's) produces gauge field theories containing antisymmetric tensors. The FDA's extend the Cartan-Maurer equations of ordinary Lie algebras by incorporating p-form potentials (p>1). We study here the algebra of FDA transformations. To every p-form in the FDA, we associate an extended Lie derivative l generating a corresponding gauge transformation. The field theory based on the FDA is invariant under these new transformations. This gives geometrical meaning to the antisymmetric tensors. The algebra of Lie derivatives is shown to close and provides the dual formulation of FDA's.     

1H detection in MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy of biomacromolecules employing pulsed field gradients for residual solvent suppression

In this communication, we demonstrate the feasibility of 1H detection in MAS solid-state NMR for a microcrystalline, uniformly 2H,15N-labeled sample of a SH3 domain of chicken alpha-spectrin, using pulsed field gradients for suppression of water magnetization. Today, B0 gradients are employed routinely in solution-state NMR for coherence order selection and solvent suppression. We suggest to use gradients to purge water magnetization which cannot be suppressed using conventional water suppression schemes. The achievable gain in sensitivity for 1H detection is in the order of 5 compared to the 15N detected version of the experiment (at a MAS rotation frequency of 13.5 kHz). We expect that this labeling concept which achieves high sensitivity due to 1H detection, in combination with the possibility to measure long range 1H-1H distances as we have shown previously, to be a useful tool for the determination of protein structures in the solid state.     

(Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile as a chiral dienophile: diels-alder reactions with furan and acyclic dienes

The behavior of (Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile (1) as a chiral dienophile has been evaluated from its reactions with furan and acyclic dienes. Electrostatic interactions of the cyano group with the sulfinyl one restrict the conformational mobility around the C-S bond, thus controlling the pi-facial selectivity, which is almost complete in all cases, the approach of the diene from the less-hindered face of the dienophile (that bearing the lone electron pair) in the predominant rotamer being the favored one. The regioselectivity is also completely controlled by the cyano group. Additionally, the reactivity of compound 1 as well as its endo-selectivity are both higher than those observed for the corresponding (Z)-3-sulfinylacrylates, thus proving the potential of sulfinylnitriles as chiral dienophiles.