A ten-residue fragment of an antibody (mini-antibody) directed against lysozyme as ligand in immunoaffinity chromatography

The interaction between an antibody molecule and a protein antigen is an example of "natural" protein modelling. Amino acids of the antigen-binding site consisting of three hypervariable segments (L1, L2, L3) of the light (L) and three (H1, H2, H3) of the heavy (H) chain of an antibody molecule interact with amino acids present in an epitope of a protein. A ten-residue peptide was synthesized with an amino acid sequence analogous to the hypervariable L3 segment of a monoclonal antibody directed against lysozyme. The peptide was immobilized on CH-Sepharose 4B and the affinity adsorbent was used to purify lysozyme added to a detergent extract of insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus. This methodology may also be applicable to other antigen-antibody combinations, in immunoaffinity chromatography for selective purification of a protein or in an immunosensor for detection of a protein.     

Tetraazadibora[3, 3]paracyclophane

Starting from the para‐phenylenediamine derivative HN(SiMe₃)‐C₆H₄‐NH(SiMe₃), a lithiation and subsequent borylation give [(MeO)₂B]N(SiMe₃)‐C₆H₄‐N(SiMe₃)[B(OMe)₂] ( 1 ), the hydridation of which yields Li₂[(H₃B)N(SiMe₃)‐C₆H₄‐N(SiMe₃)(BH₃)] ( 2 ). Applying ZrCl₄ upon 2 initiates a condensation to give the title compound [‐N(SiMe₃)‐p‐C₆H₄‐N(SiMe₃)‐BH‐]₂, a hetero[3, 3]paracyclophane with two N‐B‐N chains that connect the para‐phenylene units. The product 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁.     

Short-pulse high-intensity excimer lasers — A powerful tool for the generation of coherent VUV and XUV radiation

Different approaches for the generation of coherent VUV and XUV radiation with a 400 fs KrF excimer-laser system are studied. In nonlinear optical experiments it is shown that four-wave difference-frequency mixing in Xe, using a near two-photon resonance with the KrF laser radiation, is well suited for the generation of tunable VUV radiation in the range 130–200 nm. Conversion efficiencies of 2% and output energies up to 260 J have been demonstrated. Further prospects to achieve J energies are discussed. Using this VUV source and the KrF laser, powerful XUV radiation can be generated by different low-order frequency mixing processes. In first experiments on this subject, direct frequency tripling of the KrF laser pulse has resulted in 14 J XUV radiation at 83 nm.For the realization of soft-X-ray lasers, specific advantages of short-pulse KrF drivers are discussed. Novel scenarios based on a hybrid KrF/Ti: sapphire laser system and multiphoton resonant excitation are considered.Prof. F. P. Schäfer on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Additive pulse mode-locked Nd: YAG laser

Additive pulse mode locking applied to lamppumped Nd: YAG lasers results in an attractive source of picosecond pulses at 1.06 m or 1.32 m with average powers at the Watt level. We provide detailed information on construction and operation and give data on performance. A modified active stabilization scheme allows not only improved stability of operation but also insight into the dynamics of pulse formation.     

Bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl]mercury: a P-donor ligand and precursor to mixed metal-mercury (d(8)-d(10)) cyclometalated complexes containing 2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2)

Treatment of HgCl(2) with 2-LiC(6)H(4)PPh(2) gives [Hg(2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)] (1), whose phosphorus atoms take up oxygen, sulfur, and borane to give the compounds [Hg[2-C(6)H(4)P(X)Ph(2)](2)] [ X = O (3), S (4), and BH(3) (5)], respectively. Compound 1 functions as a bidentate ligand of wide, variable bite angle that can span either cis or trans coordination sites in a planar complex. Representative complexes include [HgX(2) x 1] [X = Cl (6a), Br (6b)], cis-[PtX(2) x 1] [X = Cl (cis-7), Me (9), Ph (10)], and trans-[MX(2) x 1] [X = Cl, M = Pt (trans-7), Pd (8), Ni (11); X = NCS, M = Ni (13)] in which the central metal ions are in either tetrahedral (6a,b) or planar (7-11, 13) coordination. The trans disposition of 1 in complexes trans-7, 8, and 11 imposes close metal-mercury contacts [2.8339(7), 2.8797(8), and 2.756(8) A, respectively] that are suggestive of a donor-acceptor interaction, M --> Hg. Prolonged heating of 1 with [PtCl(2)(cod)] gives the binuclear cyclometalated complex [(eta(2)-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))Pt(mu-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)HgCl] (14) from which the salt [(eta(2)-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))Pt(mu-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)Hg]PF(6) (15) is derived by treatment with AgPF(6). In 14 and 15, the mu-C(6)H(4)PPh(2) groups adopt a head-to-tail arrangement, and the Pt-Hg separation in 14, 3.1335(5) A, is in the range expected for a weak metallophilic interaction. A similar arrangement of bridging groups is found in [Cl((n)Bu(3)P)Pd(mu-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)HgCl] (16), which is formed by heating 1 with [PdCl(2)(P(n)()Bu(3))(2)]. Reaction of 1 with [Pd(dba)(2)] [dba = dibenzylideneacetone] at room temperature gives [Pd(1)(2)] (19) which, in air, forms a trigonal planar palladium(0) complex 20 containing bidentate 1 and the monodentate phosphine-phosphine oxide ligand [Hg(2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))[2-C(6)H(4)P(O)Ph(2)]]. On heating, 19 eliminates Pd and Hg, and the C-C coupled product 2-Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)C(6)H(4)PPh(2)-2 (18) is formed by reductive elimination. In contrast, 1 reacts with platinum(0) complexes to give a bis(aryl)platinum(II) species formulated as [Pt(eta(1)-C-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(eta(2)-2-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(eta(1)-P-1)]. Crystal data are as follows. Compound 3: monoclinic, P2(1)/n, with a = 11.331(3) A, b = 9.381(2) A, c = 14.516 A, beta = 98.30(2) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 6b x 2CH(2)Cl(2): triclinic, P macro 1, with a = 12.720(3) A, b = 13.154(3) A, c = 12.724(2) A, alpha = 92.01(2) degrees, beta = 109.19(2) degrees, gamma = 90.82(2) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound trans-7 x 2CH(2)Cl(2): orthorhombic, Pbca, with a = 19.805(3) A, b = 8.532(4) A, c = 23.076(2) A, and Z = 4. Compound 11 x 2CH(2)Cl(2): orthorhombic, Pbca, with a = 19.455(3) A, b = 8.496(5) A, c = 22.858(3) A, and Z = 4. Compound 14: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, with a = 13.150(3) A, b = 12.912(6) A, c = 26.724(2) A, beta = 94.09(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 20 x C(6)H(5)CH(3).0.5CH(2)Cl(2): triclinic, P macro 1, with a = 13.199(1) A, b = 15.273(2) A, c = 17.850(1) A, alpha = 93.830(7), beta = 93.664(6), gamma = 104.378(7) degrees, and Z = 2.     

The Challenge of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain in action presents large statistical and computational challenges. Here we describe those challenges and provide references to a number of other papers where detailed methods developed to meet them are reported. The first seven sections of this paper were written in 1995 when our work was in its infancy. The last four sections were written more recently, to update the earlier sections and to show the directions we have gone and the directions we intend to go.     

All-solid-state neodymium-based single-frequency master-oscillator fiber power-amplifier system emitting 5.5 W of radiation at 1064 nm

We demonstrate a master-oscillator fiber power-amplifier system consisting of a diode-pumped monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator as the master oscillator and a Nd:glass double-clad fiber as the power amplifier. The system emits up to 5.5 W of single-frequency radiation at a wavelength of 1064 nm with an M(2) value of ~1.1 . The optical emission spectrum is investigated with respect to the background of residual amplified spontaneous emission. Spectrally resolved amplitude-noise behavior is examined. Further power-scaling possibilities are discussed.     

Timing and eco(nomic) efficiency of climate-friendly investments in supply chains

Emission trading schemes such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EUETS) attempt to reconcile economic efficiency with ecological efficiency by creating financial incentives for companies to invest in climate-friendly innovations. Using real options methodology, we demonstrate that under uncertainty, economic and ecological efficiency continue to be mutually exclusive. This problem is even worse if a climate-friendly project depends on investing in of a whole supply chain. We model a sequential bargaining game in a supply chain where the parties negotiate over implementation of a carbon dioxide (CO₂) saving investment project. We show that the outcome of their bargaining is not economically efficient and even less ecologically efficient. Furthermore, we show that a supply chain becomes less economically efficient and less ecologically efficient with every additional chain link. Finally, we make recommendations for how managers or politicians can improve the situation and thereby increase economic as well as ecological efficiency and thus also the eco-efficiency of supply chains.     

A Comparison of Two Variational Methods

A discussion is given of the relation between the maximum functionaltheorem and Schwinger's variational principle, and it is shownthat the bound given by Schwinger's principle is better thanor the same as that given by the maximum functional theorem.     

Efficient frequency doubling of cw dye laser radiation

An efficient conversion of the tunable cw dye laser radiation to the UV region was achieved by intracavity SHG. The conversion efficiency depends strongly on the total cavity loss. This paper gives a survey on conventional and thermally induced loss mechanisms and discusses ways of loss reduction. A system is described that yields 50 mW and 4 mW of tunable UV radiation in multimode and single mode operation, respectively, where the wavelength can be varied from 285–315 nm.