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.     

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.     

Comparing adult mathematical literacy with PISA students: results of a pilot study

In Germany, very little empirical data about the mathematical competence of adults is available. The aim of this study is to test the level of mathematical competence in an adult sample. For this purpose, a mathematics test was constructed using the PISA mathematics framework as a guideline. The test consisted of fourteen public items from the mathematics test in PISA 2000. The study was implemented by carrying out house visits (Germany). The sample was comprised of 64 adults (90% women, age: 41 years). The test results were scaled in the metric of PISA 2000. Compared with the average German student competencies in PISA 2000, the average competency in the adult sample was on the same level as the fifteen-year-old comprehensive secondary school student (at a German Gymnasium). Further analysis shows that the mathematics competency level in the adult sample is positively connected to the individual vocational education degree.     

Homoconjugated ketones with extended unsaturation: Wavelength-selective,regioselective, diastereoselective,and enantiospecific photochemical transformations of methyl 7-oxospiro[5.5]undeca-1,3-and -2,4,-diene-2-carboxylate

The title molecules were shown to photorearrange with remarkable selectivity. Wavelength variation steers the rearrangement modes, of which the [1,2]-acyl shift was found to be largely regioselective, diastereoselective, and enantiospecific. Chemical intercorrelation of products and mechanistic studies were carried out all along. The potential significance of these photochemical processes in selective synthetic schemes is discussed.