Quantized enveloping algebras for Borcherds superalgebras

We construct quantum deformations of enveloping algebras of Borcherds superalgebras, their Verma modules, and their irreducible highest weight modules.

     

Magnetic, electronic, and structural characterization of nonstoichiometric iron oxides at the nanoscale

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of nonstoichiometric iron oxide nanocrystals prepared by decomposition of iron(II) and iron(0) precursors in the presence of organic solvents and capping groups. The highly uniform, crystalline, and monodisperse nanocrystals that were produced enabled a full structural and compositional survey by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complex and metastable behavior of nonstoichiometric iron oxide (wüstite) at the nanoscale was studied by a combination of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic characterization. Deposition from hydrocarbon solvents with subsequent self-assembly of iron oxide nanocrystals into superlattices allowed the preparation of continuous thin films suitable for electronic transport measurements.     

TG-DTA and FTIR analyses of plasters from byzantine monuments in Balkan region

Historic plasters from wall paintings of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches situated in the Balkan region were studied. All wall paintings were made with fresco technique and are dated from IX - XVI century. Plaster samples were followed from room temperature to 1000°C by Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), and one or two significant temperature regions, corresponding to thermal decomposition mechanisms were observed. The analysis of the plaster samples and the composition characterization was carried out using also, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Although the main components are calcite and quartz (from sand) in different proportions, there are differences between them such as the presence of gypsum being either as a constituent element or due to environmental pollution. The results are examined comparatively taking into account the creation time and place of the paintings.     

Determination of the antifouling booster biocides irgarol 1051 and diuron and their metabolites in seawater by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector

A method for the simultaneous determination of two antifouling booster biocides, diuron (1-(3,4 dichlorophenyl) 3,3 dimethyl urea) and irgarol 1051 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine), and their metabolites, DCPMU (1-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-3 methyl urea), DCPU (1-(3,4 dichlorophenyl) urea), DCA (3,4 dichloroaniline) and M1 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-s-triazine) in seawater by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was developed. The optimization of the extraction procedure included the type of sorbent and the type of the organic solvent for the elution. Optimization of the liquid chromatography (LC) separation was also performed and the robustness of the developed separation was tested, in respect to the effect of three factors (column temperature, flow rate and initial strength of acetonitrile) on the retention times, peak resolution and peak area of the six compounds. The optimized procedure included off-line extraction of these compounds from seawater samples using C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. The inter-day precision of the developed procedure was less than 14% (as R.S.D.s) for all the tested compounds. Satisfactory recoveries (higher than 82%) were obtained for all substances, except for DCA, for which low recovery was obtained (30.5%). The limits of detection (LODs) of the substances varied between 0.005 (DCPMU) and 0.026 (M1) μg L⁻¹.     

Polypyridyl-Based Copper Phenanthrene Complexes: Combining Stability with Enhanced DNA Recognition

We report a series of copper(II) artificial metallo-nucleases (AMNs) and demonstrate their DNA damaging properties and in-vitro cytotoxicity against human-derived pancreatic cancer cells. The compounds combine a tris-chelating polypyridyl ligand, di-(2-pycolyl)amine (DPA), and a DNA intercalating phenanthrene unit. Their general formula is Cu-DPA-N,N' (where N,N'=1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), dipyridoquinoxaline (DPQ) or dipyridophenazine (DPPZ)). Characterisation was achieved by X-ray crystallography and continuous-wave EPR (cw-EPR), hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) and Davies electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies. The presence of the DPA ligand enhances solution stability and facilitates enhanced DNA recognition with apparent binding constants (K_app) rising from 10⁵ to 10⁷ m ⁻¹ with increasing extent of planar phenanthrene. Cu-DPA-DPPZ, the complex with greatest DNA binding and intercalation effects, recognises the minor groove of guanine–cytosine (G-C) rich sequences. Oxidative DNA damage also occurs in the minor groove and can be inhibited by superoxide and hydroxyl radical trapping agents. The complexes, particularly Cu-DPA-DPPZ, display promising anticancer activity against human pancreatic tumour cells with in-vitro results surpassing the clinical platinum(II) drug oxaliplatin.     

Synthesis of 2D Germanane (GeH): a New,Fast, and Facile Approach

Germanane (GeH), a germanium analogue of graphane, has recently attracted considerable interest because its remarkable combination of properties makes it an extremely suitable candidate to be used as 2D material for field effect devices, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. Up to now, the synthesis of GeH has been conducted by substituting Ca by H in a β‐CaGe₂ layered Zintl phase through topochemical deintercalation in aqueous HCl. This reaction is generally slow and takes place over 6 to 14 days. The new and facile protocol presented here allows to synthesize GeH at room temperature in a significantly shorter time (a few minutes), which renders this method highly attractive for technological applications. The GeH produced with this method is highly pure and has a band gap (E_g) close to 1.4 eV, a lower value than that reported for germanane synthesized using HCl, which is promising for incorporation of GeH in solar cells.     

Attraction of iodide ions by the free water surface, revealed by simulations with a polarizable force field based on Drude oscillators

Recent theoretical and experimental studies have shown that polarizable anions, such as iodide and bromide, preferentially accumulate close to the surface of electrolyte solutions. This finding is in sharp contrast to the previously prevailing idea that salts are dielectrically excluded from the free water surface and opens up new avenues for research in specific salt effects. In this work, we have verified the ability of a recently introduced polarizable water model, SWM4-DP, to reproduce this behavior, by simulations of a NaI/water slab, corresponding to a 1.2 M solution. The water and ion polarizabilities are modeled by classical Drude oscillator particles. As revealed by the simulations, a double layer is formed close to the free water surface, with the iodide ions located closer to the interface and the sodium ions at a neighboring, interior layer. Near the surface, all solution species acquire an induced dipole moment, that is perpendicular to the surface and points toward the exterior. The double charge layer causes ordering of water at a subsurface region. Simulations with a simpler system of a single iodide ion in a water slab show that the surface position is stabilized by induced charge interactions; in contrast, the charge-dipole interactions between the iodide permanent charge and the water permanent dipole moment favor the bulk position. Thus, the polarizabilities of ion and water are essential for explaining the increased preference of iodide for the air-water interface, in accordance with other studies.     

Evolved Gas Analysis‐Mass Spectrometry to Identify the Earliest Organic Binder in Aegean Style Wall Paintings

An organic binder was identified in the painted fragments from the Canaanite palace of Tel Kabri, Israel. Recently dated to the late 18th century B.C.E. by ¹⁴C, Tel Kabri is the most ancient of the Eastern Mediterranean sites in which Aegean style paintings have been found. The application of pigments was suspected to be using an organic binding medium, particularly for the Egyptian Blue pigment. Samples of blue paint were examined using evolved gas analysis‐mass spectrometry (EGA‐MS) in order to overcome the analytical challenges imposed by highly degraded aged proteinaceous materials. Egg was identified as the binder based on the presence of hexadecanonitrile and octadecanonitrile, confirming the use of a secco painting technique. Lysozyme C from Gallus gallus was detected by proteomics analysis, confirming the presence of egg. To our knowledge, this is the earliest use of egg as a binder in Aegean style wall paintings.     

Oxone/Sodium Chloride: A Simple and Efficient Catalytic System for the Oxidation of Alcohols to Symmetric Esters and Ketones

An efficient method for the oxidation of alcohols is presented. The use of catalytic amounts of sodium chloride in combination with oxone allows the conversion primary aliphatic alcohols to symmetric esters. Secondary alcohols can be easily oxidized to ketones, and benzylic alcohols are converted to the corresponding aldehydes. The method is cost effective and enviromentally benign.     

Some cyclization reactions of 1,3-diphenylbenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-7(1H)-one: preparation and computational analysis of non symmetrical zwitterionic biscyanines

Regioselective nucleophilic addition of bisnucleophiles 1,2-benzenediamine, 2-amino-benzenethiol, and N-phenyl-1,2-benzenediamine to 1,3-diphenylbenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-7(1H)-one (1) at C6 followed by intramolecular cyclocondensation at the C7 carbonyl afforded highly coloured tetracenes 1,3-diphenyl-1,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]phenazin-4-ium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (12), 1,3-diphenyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazino[6,5-b]phenothiazine (14) and 1,3,11-triphenyl-1,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]phenazin-11-ium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (15), respectively. Neutralization of the latter with alkali gave the free base 1,3,11-triphenyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]phenazin-11-ium-6-ide (16). Furthermore, the benzotriazinone 1 reacts with dimethyl malonate to give 6-(methoxycarbonyl)-7-oxo-1,3-diphenyl-7H-benzofuro[5,6-e][1,2,4]triazin-1-ium-4-ide (17) in 74% yield, while with S(4)N(4) [5,6-c]-thiadiazolo-7-oxo-1,3-diphenyl-1,2,4-benzotriazine (22) was formed in 15% yield. The free bases 16 and 17 display negative solvatochromism, which supports charge separated ground states similar to those of zwitterionic biscyanines, and DFT calculations at the UB3LYP/6-31G(d) level afford ΔE(ST) values of -13.6 and -18.7 kcal mol(-1), respectively that strongly favour the singlet ground state. All ring systems described are new and fully characterized.