Cotangent cohomology of Stanley-Reisner rings

Simplicial complexes X provide commutative rings A(X) via the Stanley- Reisner construction. We calculated the cotangent cohomology, i.e., T¹ and T² of A(X) in terms of X. These modules provide information about the deformation theory of the algebro geometric objects assigned to X.     

VNCl2(Pyridin)2 Synthese,IR-Spektrum und Kristallstruktur

VNCl₂(Pyridine)₂; Synthesis, I. R. Spectrum, and Crystal Structure VNCl₂(Pyridine)₂ is formed from the cyclothiazeno-vanadium(IV) complex [VCl(N₃S₂)(Pyridine)₂]₂ · 2 CH₂Cl₂ in boiling toluene in form of brown-red, hydrolysis sensitive crystal. It was characterized by its I.R. spectrum and an X-ray crystal structure determination. VNCl₂(Pyridine)₂crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pccn with four formula units per unit cell (668 observed independent reflexions, R = 0.055). Lattice constants: a = 1550, b = 924, c = 832 pm. Monomer molecules are situated on twofold rotation axes. They are stacked along the V?N axis to form columns V?N…V. The short VN bond of 160 pm corresponds to a triple bond, whereas the V…N distance of 256 pm indicates a weak interaction. The V? N(Pyridine) and V? Cl bond lengths are 213.0 and 233.5 pm, respectively.     

Bestimmung von Palladium und seine Trennung von Nickel, Zink und Kupfer

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The non-selective voltage-activated cation channel in the human red blood cell membrane: reconciliation between two conflicting reports and further characterisation

Using the patch-clamp technique, the non-selective, voltage-activated cation channel in the human red blood cell (RBC) membrane was further characterised. Activity of the cation channel could be demonstrated at a range of salt concentrations with the current-voltage characteristics for monovalent cations going from linear to superlinear functions, depending on the cation concentration in the range of 100-500 mM. The non-selective voltage-activated cation channel was demonstrated to be permeable to the divalent cations Ca2+ and Ba2+, and even Mg2+. The current-voltage relations for the divalent cations were superlinear even at 75 mM salt concentration, but indicated outward rectification in contrast to the I-V curve for monovalent cations. The degree of activation at a given membrane potential depended strongly on the prehistory of the channel. The gating exhibited hysteretic-like behaviour, since the quasi steady-state deactivation and activation curves were displaced by approximately 25 mV. This result fully explains apparent discrepancies between V0.5-values previously obtained by slightly different experimental protocols. The possible physiological/pathophysiological role of the channel is discussed in the context of the demonstrated permeability for divalent cations.     

Ultraviolet B radiation induces upregulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in human Finn chamber skin samples

One of the neuropeptides that plays a role in UVB-induced immunomodulation is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), as demonstrated in several animal studies. CGRP can be detected in human skin, but effects of UVB exposure on CGRP levels in human skin are not known. We determined CGRP levels in human Finn chamber skin samples of 15 UVB-irradiated and 10 control volunteers. Filter samples were collected prior to and immediately after a UVB exposure protocol (5 consecutive days, with one personally determined minimal erythema dose (MED(jp)) per day). CGRP levels in filter samples were determined using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. CGRP could be detected in the filter samples and volunteers showed statistically significantly increased levels after UVB exposure. In addition, the CGRP levels of UVB-exposed volunteers were positively correlated with the dose of UVB in J/m(2) that they received on 5 consecutive days. In other words, higher UVB doses resulted in higher CGRP levels. In summary, CGRP, a mediator in UVB-induced immunomodulation, could be detected in human Finn chamber skin samples, and was significantly increased after UVB exposure. The CGRP level appeared to depend on the amount of UVB the volunteers received.     

Laser-based detection of PAHs and BTXE-aromatics in oil polluted soil samples

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and fiber optics are applied for the detection of aromatic hydrocarbons in oil contaminated water and soil samples. Time-integrated data accumulation of fluorescence intensities in an early and in a late time window with respect to the exciting laser pulse simplifies the method in such a way that it becomes very attractive for practical applications. For ultraviolet laser excitation at 337 nm and recording fluorescence signals at 400 nm, typical detection limits of the present set-up are 0.5 mg engine oil/L in water and 5 mg engine oil/kg in soil. A discrimination between BTXE-aromatics and PAHs in oil polluted soil or water samples is possible, when more than one laser wavelength in the ultraviolet is used for the excitation. The possibilities for a thermal discrimination between different aromatics are also discussed.     

Cell Cycle Kinetics Following UVA Irradiation in Comparison to UVB and UVC Irradiation

Abstract— There is limited information about the carcinogenic effect of longwave ultraviolet radiation (UVA: 315-400 nm). In particular very little is known about the relevant genotoxic damage caused by physiological doses of UVA radiation. A general response of cells to DNA damage is a delay or arrest of the cell cycle. Conversely, such cellular responses after UVA irradiation would indicate significant genotoxic damage. The aim of this study is to compare cell cycle kinetics of human fibroblasts after UVC (190-280 nm radiation), UVB (280-315 nm radiation) and UVA irradiation. Changes in the cell cycle kinetics were assessed by bivariate flow cytometric analysis of DNA synthesis and of DNA content. After UVC, UVB or UVA irradiation of human fibroblasts a suppression was seen of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation at all stages of S phase. The magnitude of this suppression appeared dose dependent. Maximum suppression was reached at 5-7 h after UVB exposure and directly after UVA exposure, and normal levels were reached 25 h after UVB and 7 h after UVA exposure. The lowered BrdU uptake corresponded with a lengthening of the S phase. No dramatic changes in percentages of cells in G₁, S and G₂/M were seen after the various UV irradiations. Apparently, UVA irradiation, like UVB and UVC irradiation, can temporarily inhibit DNA synthesis, which is indicative of genotoxic damage.     

Exciton diffusion and interfacial charge separation in meso-tetraphenylporphyrin/TiO2 bilayers: effect of ethyl substituents

The photoinduced charge separation efficiency in porphyrin/TiO2 bilayers has been determined using the time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) technique. Porphyrins investigated are unsubstituted meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and meso-tetra(4-ethylphenyl)porphyrin (TEPP). TEPP/TiO2 bilayers exhibit a charge separation efficiency per incident photon at the Soret band maximum of 6.2%, which is considerably higher than the efficiency of 1.2% found for TPP/TiO2 bilayers. Exciton diffusion lengths of 7 A for TPP and 75 A for TEPP are obtained from fitting a model for the charge separation efficiency to the experimental data. Optical measurements on the porphyrin derivatives on quartz yield a 20 times higher fluorescence quantum yield and a 7 times higher fluorescence rate constant for TEPP layers as compared to TPP layers. The exciton lifetime of 800 ps found for TEPP layers is considerably longer than the lifetime of 260 ps in TPP layers. The exciton diffusion coefficients, determined from the exciton diffusion length and the exciton lifetime, are found to be 2.10(-9) m(2)/s for TPP and 7.10(-8) m(2)/s for TEPP. The difference is discussed in terms of the presence of face-to-face dimers or larger aggregates in TPP layers.