3-MANIFOLD GROUPS, KÄHLER GROUPS AND COMPLEX SURFACES

Let G be a Kahler group admitting a short exact sequence 1 -> N -> G -> Q -> 1 where N is finitely generated. (i) Then Q cannot be non-nilpotent solvable. (ii) Suppose in addition that Q satisfies one of the following: (a) Q admits a discrete faithful non-elementary action on H-n for some n >= 2. (b) Q admits a discrete faithful non-elementary minimal action on a simplicial tree with more than two ends. (c) Q admits a (strong-stable) cut R such that the intersection of all conjugates of R is trivial. Then G is virtually a surface group. It follows that if Q is infinite, not virtually cyclic, and is the fundamental group of some closed 3-manifold, then Q contains as a finite index subgroup either a finite index subgroup of the three-dimensional Heisenberg group or the fundamental group of the Cartesian product of a closed oriented surface of positive genus and the circle. As a corollary, we obtain a new proof of a theorem of Dimca and Suciu in Which 3-manifold groups are Kahler groups? J. Eur. Math. Soc. 11 (2009) 521-528] by taking N to be the trivial group. If instead, G is the fundamental group of a compact complex surface, and N is finitely presented, then we show that Q must contain the fundamental group of a Seifert-fibered 3-manifold as a finite index subgroup, and G contains as a finite index subgroup the fundamental group of an elliptic fibration. We also give an example showing that the relation of quasi-isometry does not preserve Kahler groups. This gives a negative answer to a question of Gromov which asks whether Kahler groups can be characterized by their asymptotic geometry.

The X-C center dot center dot center dot Y (X = O/F, Y = O/S/F/Cl/Br/N/P) `carbon bond' and hydrophobic interactions

While the tetrahedral face of methane has an electron rich centre and can act as a hydrogen bond acceptor, substitution of one of its hydrogens with some electron withdrawing group (such as -F/OH) can make the opposite face electron deficient. Electrostatic potential calculations confirm this and high level quantum calculations show interactions between the positive face of methanol/methyl fluoride and electron rich centers of other molecules such as H2O. Analysis of the wave functions of atoms in molecules shows the presence of an unusual C center dot center dot center dot Y interaction, which could be called `carbon bonding'. NBO analysis and vibrational frequency shifts confirm the presence of this interaction. Given the properties of alkyl groups bonded to electronegative elements in biological molecules, such interactions could play a significant role, which is yet to be recognized. This and similar interactions could give an enthalpic contribution to what is called the `hydrophobic interactions'.

Remarkable Regioisomer Control in the Hydrogel Formation from a Two-Component Mixture of Pyridine-End Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s and N-Decanoyl-L-alanine

N-Decanoyl-L-alanine (DA) was mixed with either colorless 4,4-bipyridine (BP) or various derivatives such as chromogenic oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) functionalized with isomeric pyridine termini in specific molar ratios. This mixtures form salt-type gels in a water/ethanol (2:1, v/v) mixture. The gelation properties of these two-component mixtures could be modulated by variation of the position of the N atom of the end pyridyl groups in OPVs. The presence of acid-base interactions in the self-assembly of these two-component systems leading to gelation was probed in detail by using stoichiometry-dependent UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, temperature-dependent UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy clearly demonstrated a J-type aggregation mode of these gelator molecules during the sol-to-gel transition process. Morphological features and the arrangement of the molecules in the gels were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Calculation of the length of each molecular system by energy minimization in its extended conformation and comparison with the XRD patterns revealed that this class of gelator molecules adopts lamellar organizations. Rheological properties of these two-component systems provided clear evidence that the flow behavior could be modulated by varying the acid/amine ratio. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and XRD results revealed that the solid-phase behavior of such two-component mixtures (acid/base=2:1) varied significantly upon changing the proton-acceptor part from BP to OPV. Interestingly, the XRD pattern of these acid/base mixtures after annealing at their associated isotropic temperature was significantly different from that of their xerogels.

Graded IR Filters: Distinguishing Between Single and Multipoint NO2 center dot center dot center dot I Halogen Bonded Supramolecular Synthons (P, Q, and R Synthons)

The NO2 center dot center dot center dot I supramolecular synthon is a halogen bonded recognition pattern that is present in the crystal structures of many compounds that contain these functional groups. These synthons have been previously distinguished as P, Q, and R types using topological and geometrical criteria. A five step IR spectroscopic sequence is proposed here to distinguish between these synthon types in solid samples. Sets of known compounds that contain the P, Q, and R synthons are first taken to develop IR spectroscopic identifiers for them. The identifiers are then used to create graded IR filters that sieve the synthons. These filters contain signatures of the individual NO2 center dot center dot center dot I synthons and may be applied to distinguish between P, Q, and R synthon varieties. They are also useful to identify synthons that are of a borderline character, synthons in disordered structures wherein the crystal structure in itself is not sufficient to distinguish synthon types, and in the identification of the NO2 center dot center dot center dot I synthons in compounds with unknown crystal structures. This study establishes clear differences for the three different geometries P, Q, and Rand in the chemical differences in the intermolecular interactions contained in the synthons. Our IR method can be conveniently employed when single crystals are not readily available also in high throughput analysis. It is possible that such identification may also be adopted as an input for crystal structure prediction analysis of compounds with unknown crystal structures.

The X-C---Y (X = O/F, Y = O, S, F, Cl, Br, N, P,) Carbon bond and hydrophobic interactions

While the tetrahedral face of methane has an electron rich centre and can act as a hydrogen bond acceptor, substitution of one of its hydrogens with some electron withdrawing group (such as -F/OH) can make the opposite face electron deficient. Electrostatic potential calculations confirm this and high level quantum calculations show interactions between the positive face of methanol/methyl fluoride and electron rich centers of other molecules such as H2O. Analysis of the wave functions of atoms in molecules shows the presence of an unusual C···Y interaction, which could be called 'carbon bonding'. NBO analysis and vibrational frequency shifts confirm the presence of this interaction. Given the properties of alkyl groups bonded to electronegative elements in biological molecules, such interactions could play a significant role, which is yet to be recognized. This and similar interactions could give an enthalpic contribution to what is called the 'hydrophobic interactions'.

Helping ourselves: the role of self-help groups in poverty alleviation through aquaculture

Self-help groups (SHGs) are ways for farmers and fishers, especially those who are poor, to come together and work together. They can be a useful entry point for outsiders, promote a supportive local environment, strengthen voices in decision-making and in negotiations with more powerful forces, increase the effectiveness of local actions, and provide easier access to micro-credit and other resources and services. This case study describes a rural aquaculture development context, in India, the development of SHGs and the concept of a ‘one-stop aqua shop’, set up and run by a federation of self-help groups in Kaipara village, West Bengal (a pilot state along with Jharkhand and Orissa). It outlines testing new ways to share information, as part of a series of revised procedures and institutional arrangements for service delivery recommended by farmers and fishers and prioritized by government, with support from the Department of International Development, London (DFID) Natural Resources Support Programme (NRSP) and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) to the Support to Regional Aquatic Resources Management (STREAM) Initiative (10 p.)

Ancient DNA from Hunter-Gatherer and Farmer Groups from Northern Spain Supports a Random Dispersion Model for the Neolithic Expansion into Europe

10 p.

Möbius-like groups of homeomorphisms of the circle

A group G → Homeo_+(S^1) is a Möbius-like group if every element of G is conjugate in Homeo(S^1) to a Mobius transformation. Our main result is: given a Mobus like like group G which has at least one global fixed point, G is conjugate in Homeo(S^1) to a Möbius group if and only if the limit set of G is all of S^1 . Moreover, we prove that if the limit set of G is not SI, then after identifying some closed subintervals of S^1 to points, the induced action of G is conjugate to an action of a Möbius group.

We also show that the above result does not hold in the case when G has no global fixed points. Namely, we construct examples of Möbius-like groups with limit set equal to S^1, but these groups cannot be conjugated to Möbius groups.

Normal structures and automorphism groups of t-designs

Combinatorial configurations known as t-designs are studied. These are pairs ˂B, ∏˃, where each element of B is a k-subset of ∏, and each t-design occurs in exactly λ elements of B, for some fixed integers k and λ. A theory of internal structure of t-designs is developed, and it is shown that any t-design can be decomposed in a natural fashion into a sequence of “simple” subdesigns. The theory is quite similar to the analysis of a group with respect to its normal subgroups, quotient groups, and homomorphisms. The analogous concepts of normal subdesigns, quotient designs, and design homomorphisms are all defined and used.

This structure theory is then applied to the class of t-designs whose automorphism groups are transitive on sets of t points. It is shown that if G is a permutation group transitive on sets of t letters and ф is any set of letters, then images of ф under G form a t-design whose parameters may be calculated from the group G. Such groups are discussed, especially for the case t = 2, and the normal structure of such designs is considered. Theorem 2.2.12 gives necessary and sufficient conditions for a t-design to be simple, purely in terms of the automorphism group of the design. Some constructions are given.

Finally, 2-designs with k = 3 and λ = 2 are considered in detail. These designs are first considered in general, with examples illustrating some of the configurations which can arise. Then an attempt is made to classify all such designs with an automorphism group transitive on pairs of points. Many cases are eliminated of reduced to combinations of Steiner triple systems. In the remaining cases, the simple designs are determined to consist of one infinite class and one exceptional case.

Part I: Total yield measurements for the ^(21)Ne(α,n)^)(24)Mg reaction. Part II: A study of the ^(12)C(He,p)^(14)N reaction

PART I

The total cross-section for the reaction ²¹Ne(α, n)²⁴Mg has been measured in the energy range 1.49 Mev ≤ E_cm ≤ 2.6 Mev. The cross-section factor, S(O), for this reaction has been determined, by means of an optical model calculation, to be in the range 1.52 x 10¹² mb-Mev to 2.67 x 10¹² mb-Mev, for interaction radii in the range 5.0 fm to 6.6 fm. With S(O) ≈ 2 x 10¹² mb-Mev, the reaction ²¹Ne(α, n)²⁴Mg can produce a large enough neutron flux to be a significant astrophysical source of neutrons.

PART II

The reaction¹²C(³He, p)¹⁴N has been studied over the energy range 12 Mev ≤ E_lab ≤ 18 Mev. Angular distributions of the proton groups leading to the lowest seven levels in ¹⁴N were obtained.

Distorted wave calculations, based on two-nucleon transfer theory, were performed, and were found to be reliable for obtaining the value of the orbital angular momentum transferred. The present work shows that such calculations do not yield unambiguous values for the spectroscopic factors.

As Recordações de Itália (1852-1853), de A. P. Lopes de Mendonça: uma obra política: edição e estudo crítico

António Pedro Lopes de Mendonça, escritor romântico de postura liberal radical, que fez da literatura seu meio de subsistência, produziu uma escrita que flertou com muitos gêneros, da crônica-folhetim ao romance porém sempre permeada pelo viés político. Defendeu o Romantismo como um movimento extraliterário que ajudou a impulsionar transformações cruciais na sociedade portuguesa e, filiado à política jacobina, foi um dos precursores dos ideais socialistas em Portugal. Fez oposição à Regeneração, por entender que os esforços deste governo eram insuficientes às necessidades do país, e soube reconhecer, posteriormente, as mudanças promovidas por ele, defendendo os regeneradores em comparação com os absolutistas. Foi considerado ultrarromântico por muitos autores, o que consideramos uma classificação reducionista, por não ter em conta um aspecto fulcral da obra deste autor: o objetivo de formar leitores críticos, o compromisso civilizacional, de conscientizar e de ser combativo às injustiças de sua época. Usou a ironia a seu favor, como uma arma de pensamento, para acomodar, nas entrelinhas de seus romances, suas críticas à sociedade que se apresentava. Tendo percorrido uma Itália ainda não unificada, na viagem que inspirou as Recordações de Itália, pôde perceber como a falta de unidade dos grupos revolucionários em torno de um mesmo ideal era empecilho à unificação daquele país e convocou, por meio de seu jornal Eco dos Operários, as classes menos favorecidas à busca por justiça social, dando espaço a textos dos próprios trabalhadores e incutindo neles a importância da soma de forças por uma causa única. Morreu como louco, certamente não por não aceitar e por não se adequar às hipocrisias e injustiças que lhe eram impostas por aquela sociedade

植物N;P计量化学：中国高等之外的分异规律与野外试验初步验证

元素化学计量学指从化学计量学的角度出发，通过分析比较生命物质不同结构层次（分子、细胞、器官、机体、种群、群落等）或生态系统中元素的相对比值，来研究各层次相互之间以及生态学过程中元素之间的关系。生态化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次存元素水平上统一起来，足近年来新兴的一个生态学研究领域，广泛应用于生态学研究中。C，N，P是生物地球化学循环中的重要元素，在生态系统中占有重要地位，许多环境问题都与它们有关，由此这三种元素的化学计量学受到生态学家们的普遍关注。C:N:P化学计量学在水生生态系统中研究较为深入，目前已发展到染色体水平，而在陆地生态系统中的研究较为匮乏近年来由于人类活动的强烈影响，这三种元素的循环在速度和规模上都发生了前所未有的改变，导致一系列环境问题的出现，因此C：N:P化学计量学在陆地生态系统中的研究就显得尤为重要。作为地球生命存在基础的绿色植物，在地球上已有数亿年的演化历史，研究陆地植物的元素化学计量学不仅有助于深入了解植物存在于地球上的内在机制，而且可以为许多环境问题的解决提供理论依据。本文首先建立中国不同地区植物氮磷含量数据库，通过数据分析找出一般规律，并进一步揭示植物不同进化阶段N:P化学计量比的变化规律。在此基础上，通过在内蒙古羊草草原设立不同施肥样地来模拟自然界不同氮磷环境，从试验水平上研究不同施肥处理及施肥梯度下生态系统中氮、磷、有机质的变化规律，并从化学计量学角度研究其内在机制。 利州新建成的中国维管植物数据库（包含1603种植物）研究了不同进化水平以及不同功能群（生活型）间植物N:P比的变化规律，并沿胡焕庸线（胡线）把中团分为为东西两部分，从总体水平上对比了东、西部间叫植物氮磷含量以及N：P的异同。结果表明：l）从演化水平来看，尽管氮磷含量表现出极大的差异，除豆科植物外，植物N：P基本保持稳定水平;2）木本植物与草本植物的N：P比差异．显著，木本植物之间（常绿乔木，常绿灌木，落叶乔木，落叶灌木）N：P不具有显著差异;3）中国东西部植物养分含量和N：P比表现出极显著差异，东部的养分含量低于西部，而N:P显著高于西部。 在内蒙古羊草草原两块永久实验样地（样地A：1980年围封样地和样地B：1999年田封样地）进行了为期两年的N素和P素添加试验。氮素添加梯度为0，5，15，30，50，80 g NHN03.m.2.yr-1。P素添加梯度为0，2，4，8，16，and 32 g P2Osm-2 yr-1（仪分析了羊草器官的结果）。分别从植物器官、物种、功能群水平研究了N素添加对N:P化学计量学的影响，此外还研究了土壤和凋落物C：N:P化学计量学对N素添加的响应。结合生物量的变化趋势，探讨了元素化学计量学对养分状况的指示作用。 1．羊草器官对施肥的响应结果表明，添加N素可以显著提高羊草器官中的含N量，p素可以显著提高器官中的含P量：除2001年样地A中的根茎外，根茎中的含P量基本不受N素添加的影响;茎中的含P量同样表现出不受N素添加影响的趋势（2000年B区茎除外）：N素添加可以显著增大羊草叶片中的含P量(B区2000年叶片除外)。P素添加对羊草器官的含N量没有影响;羊草器官中的氮磷含量施肥处理下表现出显著的正相关关系（N素添加下B区叶片除外）。N素添加对羊草器官的N:P比没有显著影响（A区茎2000年和B区叶片2000年除外）：P素添加显著降低了羊草器官中的N:P比。 2．四种优势植物（羊草、羽茅、针茅和苔草）地上生物量和N:P化学计量学对氮肥的响应研究发现，四个物种的氮磷含量均具有极显著相关关系;氮肥可以显著提高样地A中的羽茅生物量，降低苔草的生物量，而使样地B中的羊草生物量增大;两块样地中，四个物种的氮磷含量及N：P比均随N素水平的增高而增大（样地A中的羽茅N:P比除外）。 3．基于生活型划分的功能群（多年生根茎禾草，多年生丛生禾草，豆科植物，多年生杂类草，一二年生植物，灌木和半灌木）对N素添加的响应研究表明：施N可以提高样地A中的多年生丛生禾草的生物量，而使样地B中的多年生根苇禾草增加;多年生杂类草的相对多度在两个样地中均随施氨水平的增加而显著 降低：在样地B中，施氮可以显著提高不同功能群的氮磷含量;在样地A中，功能群N、P含量对施肥的响应并没有一致的变化规律，添加N素可以显著提高不同功能群的含N量（豆科植物除外），多年生根茎禾草和多年生杂类草的P含量有显著增大的趋势（P < 0.005），而其它功能群（豆科植物、灌木和小半灌木、多年生杂类草和～二年生杂类草）的P含量基本恒定（P>0.05）;在样地A中，多年生丛生禾草，多年生杂类草，一二年生植物，灌木和半灌木的N：P比随施氨水平的增加而显著增大，多年生根茎禾草和豆科植物的N:P比基本不变;在样地B中，多年生丛生禾草的N:P比随施氨水平的增加而显著增大，多年生根茎禾草、多年生杂类草和…二年生杂类草不受施氨水平的影响。 4．添加N素对根实验结果表明：两块样地中，上层根(0-10 cm)的生物量仅在施N后第一年显著增加，而下层根(10-20 cm)的地下生物量在两年的施N处理下均不受施肥梯度的影响i在样地A中，施肥后第一年对根的N、P含量影响不显著，施肥后第二年可以显著增大上层根的N、P含量;在样地B中，添加N素后第一年可以显著增大根的含P量; 在两个样地中，两年的N肥处理对根的N：P比没有显著影响：在施氨处理中，根的N、P含量及N:P比在施肥第一年的响应要高于第二年。 5．所有处理中，上层土壤(O-lO cm)养分含量（有机碳，全氮，全磷）均高于下层土壤（10-20 cm）;在样地A中，氮素添加对r十壤有机碳没有显著性作用，在施肥第一年可以显著增加上层土壤的N、P含量，而在施肥后第二年对土壤N、P含量没有显著影响;在样地B中，添加N素对两年的土壤养分均没有显著影响：养分添加两个样地土壤中的元素比值（C:N比，C:P比，N:P比）没有显著影响;土壤养分对施N一年后的响应要高于第二年。 6．养分添加对凋落物化学特征及化学计量学特征的影响研究结果表明：凋落物现存量不受施肥的影响;2001年凋落物现存量与2000年和2001年的地上生物量相关关系不显著;添加N素可以显著提高凋落物的N含量，而对有机碳含量和P含量没有显著影响;凋落物C：N比随施肥梯度的增大而显著降低，N:P比显著增高，而C:P比没有明显变化。 以上研究结果表明，不同植物功能群的N:P比存在差异，人类活动强烈影响自然植被中的植物N：P比;但植物的N：P比不受植物进化的影响（豆科植物除外）;由于植物已有数亿年的演化历史，同时N与P在植物的结构和功能上具有密切的联系，在生物地球化学循环中办存在耦合作用。因此植物N：P比值恒定可能是一普适性规律。 N素添加试验表明，在植物根、地上器官、物种和功能群水平上N与P均呈显著正相关关系，反映了植物体内的氮磷含量具有协同作用。共存种对N肥的响应不同，表明物种受不同元素的制约。因此除非把生态系统中所有物种对施肥的响应刻画清楚，笼统的认定生态系统缺乏某种元素是不适当的。 施肥试验表明，两种围封时间样地的主要限制性元素不同。极度退化(样地B)植物生长主要缺N，而在保护较好样地(样地A)，P也逐步成为一种限制因素。反映了随着保护时间的增加，植物生长逐渐由N限制型向N、P共同限制型过渡。添加的养分要么被植物吸收，挥发到大气中，或以凋落物的形式返还到土壤表层。但是对养分的预算有待于进一步研究。土壤中的养分含量对N素添加有…个滞后效应，而植物响应较为迅速。功能群N:P比在施肥实验中不能保持恒定，可能是由于实验时间较短的缘故;化学计量学的研究表明羊草草原分解凋落物的微生物受P素的制约，可能是由于植物体内具有高的P素再转运机制。这一结论有待于进一步的验证。氮肥降低了凋落物的C:N比，因此凋落物的分解速率可能将要发生改变。这需要进一步开展C循环的研究。