Sub-Doppler and Doppler spectroscopy of DCN isotopomers in the terahertz region: ground and first excited bending states (v1v2v3)=(0 1 0)

The rotational spectra of the deuterium cyanide isotopic species DCN, D¹³CN, DC¹⁵N, and D¹³C¹⁵N were recorded in the vibrational ground and first excited bending state (v₂=1) up to 2 THz. The R-branch transitions from J=3←2 to J=13←12 were measured with sub-Doppler resolution. These very high resolution (∼70 kHz) and precise (±3-10 kHz) saturation dip measurements allowed for resolving the underlying hyperfine structure due to the ¹⁴N nucleus in DCN and D¹³CN for transitions as high as J=10←9. Additional high JR-branch (J=25←24 to J=28←27) transitions around 2 THz and direct l-type (ΔJ=0, J=19 to J=25) transitions from 66 to 118 GHz were recorded in Doppler-limited resolution. For the ground state of D¹³C¹⁵N, the J=1←0 transition was measured for the first time. The transition frequency accuracies for the other deuterated species were significantly improved. These new experimental data, together with the available infrared rovibrational data and previously measured direct l-type transitions, were subjected to a global least squares analysis for each isotopomer. This yielded precise sets of molecular constants for the ground and first excited vibrational states, including the nuclear quadrupole and magnetic spin-rotation coupling constants of the ¹⁴N nucleus for DCN and D¹³CN. The hyperfine structure due to the D, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N nuclei have not been resolved, but led to a broadening of the observed saturation dips.     

Temporary attachment of carbohydrates to cyclopeptide templates: a new strategy for single-bead analysis of multivalent neoglycopeptides

Employing a cleavable carbohydrate–peptide linker, a new strategy for single-bead analysis of multivalent cyclic neoglycopeptides based on Edman degradation is described. Edman degradation of glycopeptides is hampered by the acid lability of the glycosidic bond and potential incompatibilities of phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivatives of glycosylated amino acids with PTH derivatives of the proteinogenic amino acids. To overcome this problem, carbohydrates are detached from the cyclopeptide templates before single-bead analysis, allowing for micro sequencing under routine conditions. With this strategy, application of multivalent cyclic neoglycopeptides in split-mix libraries with a subsequent screening process becomes possible for the first time.     

Dynamic scanning force microscopy study of self-assembled DNA-protein nanostructures

Self-assembled oligomeric nanostructures consisting of bisbiotinylated DNA fragments connected by the protein streptavidin (STV) are studied by dynamic scanning force microscopy (SFM) operating in air. A comparison of the images taken in repulsive and attractive regimes is systematically made on DNA and STV structures. Stable and reproducible SFM images are obtained in the attractive regime by using a special feedback circuit, called Q-control. On the other hand, when SFM is operating in the repulsive regime, deformation of the structures that reduce the resolution and the image quality are clearly observable. The heights of both DNA and STV have been measured as a function of the tip/molecule interaction forces. This study offers the possibility to suggest a different mechanical behavior of DNA with respect to STV. Received: 24 July 2001 / Accepted: 3 December 2001 / Published online: 4 March 2002     

P-harmonic obstacle problems

We prove an extension theorem for Sobolev functions which plays an important role in the partial regularity theory of vector valued functions which minimize degenerate variational integrals subject to some nonlinear side conditions in the image space.     

Book reviews

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Book reviews

     

Separation of rat pancreatic secretory proteins by cation-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography.

Rat pancreatic secretory proteins were separated by an automated liquid chromatography system utilizing a Mono S cation-exchange column. Optimal resolution was obtained with a multistep salt and pH gradient (0.01-2 M LiCl, pH 5.3-63). A total of fourteen well-separated peaks, as well as several minor peaks, were detected by UV absorption. The main pancreatic enzymes were resolved (two amylases, two chymotrypsinogens, two trypsinogens, proelastase, lipase, prophospholipase A2, procarboxypeptidase A, procarboxypeptidase B, and ribonuclease). In addition, proteins without enzymic activity, such as lithostathine and pancreatitis-associated protein, were identified. Activation of proenzymes did not occur during the separation. At a flow-rate of 0.5 ml/min, ca. 250 micrograms to 5 mg of protein could be applied with equal resolution. The reproducibility of retention volumes and peak areas was high (less than 1% or 5% variation, respectively). When radiolabeled proteins were separated, a comparable pattern of peaks was obtained. The technique described is, therefore, not only useful for analytical and preparative separation of pancreatic proteins but can additionally serve for quantitative determination of the pancreatic isoenzyme pattern.     

High responsivity, LWIR dots-in-a-well quantum dot infrared photodetectors

In this paper we report studies on normal incidence, InAs/In_0.15Ga_0.85As quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) in the dots-in-a-well (DWELL) configuration. Three QDIP structures with similar dot and well dimensions were grown and devices were fabricated from each wafer. Of the three devices studied, the first served as the control, the second was grown with an additional 400 Å AlGaAs blocking layer, and the third was grown on a GaAs n+ substrate with the intention of testing a single pass geometry. Spectral measurements on all three devices show one main peak in the long-wave IR (≈8 μm). The absorption was attributed to the bound-to-bound transition between the ground state of the InAs quantum dot and the ground state of the In_0.15Ga_0.85As well. Calibrated peak responsivity and peak detectivity measurements were performed on each device at 40, 60, and 80 K. For the same temperatures, frequency response measurements from 20 Hz to 4 kHz at a bias of V_b=−1 V were also performed. The addition of the blocking layer was shown to slightly enhance responsivity, which peaked at 2.4 A/W at 77 K, V_b=−1 V and responsivity was observed to be significantly reduced in the single pass (n+ substrate) sample. The rolloff of the frequency response was observed to be heavily dependent on temperature, bias, and irradiance. The results from the characterization of each sample are reported and discussed.     

Untersuchungen über Radium- und Bariumfällungen unter Anwendung von Thorium X als Indikator

Zusammenfassung Zunächst wird im Zusammenhang mit Messungen der Fällungsgeschwindigkeit von Thorium X in sulfathaltigen Lösungen eine Methode beschrieben, die es gestattet, während der Fällung, und zwar ohne Störung des Fällungsvorganges, diejenigen Mengen von Thorium X zu bestimmen, die sich jeweils zu bestimmten Zeitpunkten noch in Lösung befinden; dabei konnte der Gehalt an Th X mit Hilfe einer Emanationsmethode genau ermittelt werden.Die Versuchsergebnisse, die in Kurven wiedergegeben sind, lassen deutlich erkennen, daß die Fällung von Th X nicht momentan erfolgt, sondern eine gewisse Zeit beansprucht, die von der Konzentration der zugesetzten Sulfat- und Bariumchloridlösung sowie vom Zusatz anderer Fremdionen abhängig ist; es wird jedoch schließlich immer der gleiche Endzustand vollständiger Ausfällung erreicht, wenn mit äquivalenten Mengen gearbeitet wird.Die Annahme, daß die Fällung momentan erfolgt, daß aber das Fällungsprodukt sich im Laufe der Zeit von einem feinkristallinischen Zustand mit großer Emanierfähigkeit in einen grobkristallinen mit geringer Emanationsabgabe umwandelt, konnte durch besondere Experimente widerlegt werden.Schließlich wird noch eine Apparatur zur Messung des Thorongehalts angegeben, die auch für Untersuchungen des Thoriumgehalts von Quellwässern Anwendung finden kann.

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Summary A method has been worked out which makes it possible to determine the rate of precipitation of thorium X in solutions containing sulphate ion. The amount of thorium X is determined rapidly and accurately by the thorium emanation—thoron—evolved under fixed conditions. Determinations have been made every 5 minute during the time following precipitation, and the results are given graphically.They bring forward, very clearly, that the precipitation of thorium X requires a certain length of time, depending on the concentration of the sulphate and barium-chloride solutions used and on the presence of other ions. However, if equivalent quantities of barium- and sulphate ions are used, the same final result is always reached.It might have been supposed that the precipitation takes place instantaneously but that in course of time, the precipitate undergoes changes through recrystallisations and that the emanating power changes accordingly. That hypothesis, however, could be disproved by special experiments.At last an apparatus for measuring the thoron content is given which can also be applied for investigations of the thorium content of source waters.

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Résumé Les auteurs décrivent une méthode qui leur a permis de déterminer la vitesse de précipitation du thorium X en solutions contenant de l'ion sulfurique. Le thorium X est dosé par son émanation — le thoron — sous des conditions fixées, et les dosages peuvent se faire à intervalles régulières pendant le temps que demande la précipitation.Les résultats montrent que la précipitation du thorium X ne se fait point à l'instant, mais demande un certain temps, dépendant de la concentration des solutions de sulfate et de chlorure de baryum ajoutées et aussi de la présence d'ions étrangers.Les auteurs réfutent par leurs expériences la théorie que la précipitation se fait momentanément et que le précipité change peu à peu son état cristallin et par cela même, sa faculté de dégager l'émanation.Enfin les auteurs décrivent un appareil pour les dosages de thoron, qui pourra servir de même pour déterminer la teneur en thorium dans les eaux vives.