Interaction between Intermetallic Compounds <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> = Gd,Dy) and Hydrogen at Low Temperatures

The hydride phases of the intermetallic compounds GdNi₃ and DyNi₃ are synthesized at room temperature and at 273 K under a hydrogen pressure of 1–30 bar. The phase composition of the obtained samples is established using the X-ray diffraction method and the crystal-lattice parameters of the hydride phase are determined. The crystal phases are synthesized at room temperature under a hydrogen pressure of about 1 bar. At 273 K and under a pressure of 30 bar, amorphous samples are formed. The desorption of hydrogen from amorphous hydrides at 573 K leads to the formation of well-crystallized samples of the initial intermetallides. The amorphous samples are formed due to the ordering of hydrogen atoms in the metallic matrix of the hydride at low temperatures.     

Mechanism of the transition between 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis> and 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis> phases in a two-dimensional crystal model

The previously proposed model of a crystal with rotational degrees of freedom is extended to the two-dimensional case. The model contains two nonlinear terms that allow for the stability of 1q, 2q, or 3q modulated phases, depending on the ratio between the model parameters. A numerical treatment is performed for the transition between the 1q and 3q phases that is characteristic of crystals with hexagonal symmetry. This model makes it possible to reconstruct the sequence of phase transitions occurring in quartz crystals upon cooling and offers a satisfactory explanation of the experimentally observed increase in the temperature range of existence of the 1q phase under external uniaxial loading.     

Thermal and Optical Properties of Some Hydrogen-Bonded Liquid Crystal Mixtures

Phase transition properties of the mixtures of hydrogen-bonded nematic liquid crystals (HBLC) 4-hexylbenzoic acid (6BA), 4-(octyloxy)benzoic acid (8OBA), and 4-(decyloxy)benzoic acid (10OBA) have been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarize optic microscope (POM). The DSC and POM results clearly indicate the existence of smectic and nematic phase transitions in binary mixtures. The phase transition temperature values of 6BA/10OBA mixtures have clearly increased with increasing heating rate. The activation energies were calculated for the phase transitions of 6BA/10OBA liquid crystal (LC) mixture. The optical transmittance of these mixed hydrogen-bonded nematic liquid crystals was investigated in terms of temperature variations through electrooptic methods. The electrooptic experiments indicate that, while low in the nematic phase, the optical transmittance is very high at the nematic-isotropic phase transition. The transmitted light intensity values of 6BA/8OBA mixture are somewhat higher than those of other binary mixtures, 6BA/10OBA and 8OBA/10OBA, a result associated with the different alkyloxy chain lengths.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> meson rare decays in the light-cone quark model

We investigate the rare decays \(B_{c} \rightarrow D_{s}(1968)\ell \overline{\ell}\) and \(B_{c}\rightarrow D_{s}^{*}(2317) \ell \overline{\ell}\) in the framework of the light-cone quark model (LCQM). The transition form factors are calculated in the space-like region and then analytically continued to the time-like region via exponential parametrization. The branching ratios and longitudinal lepton polarization asymmetries (LPAs) for the two decays are given and compared with each other. The results are helpful for investigating the structure of B _c meson and for testing the unitarity of CKM quark mixing matrix. All these results can be tested in the future experiments at the LHC.     

Electric dipole strength distribution below the <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>1 giant resonance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 82 nuclei

In this study quasiparticle random-phase approximation with the translational invariant Hamiltonian using deformed mean field potential has been conducted to describe electric dipole excitations in ¹³⁶Xe, ¹³⁸Ba, ¹⁴⁰Ce, ¹⁴²Nd, ¹⁴⁴Sm and ¹⁴⁶Gd isotones. The distribution of the calculated E1 strength shows a resonance like structure at energies between 6–8 MeV exhausting up to 1% of the isovector electric dipole Energy Weighted Sum Rule and in some aspects nicely confirms the experimental data. It has been shown that the main part of E1 strength, observed below the threshold in these nuclei may be interpreted as main fragments of the Pygmy Dipole resonance. The agreement between calculated mean excitation energies as well as summed B(E1) value of the 1⁻ excitations and the available experimental data is quite good. The calculations indicate the presence of a few prominent positive parity 1⁺ States in heavy N = 82 isotones in the energy interval 6–8 MeV which shows not all dipole excitations were of electric character in this energy range.     

Magnetism of gadolinium nanoparticles near <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript>

Influence of temperature and magnetic field H on magnetism of spherical Gd nanoparticles of different sizes (89, 63, 47, 28, and 18 nm) was studied in the temperature range 250 K < T < 325 K. The particles were obtained by metal vapor condensation in the flow of helium. The particles with d = 18 nm did not show a magnetic transition; their structure is a combination of two cubic phases (FCC1 and FCC2). Large particles remained in the HCP phase and had an admixture of the FCC1 phase, the amount of which decreased as the particle sizes increased; magnetic transition took place at T _c = 293 K. The admixture of O₂ did not alter the structure but decreased the magnetization σ and magnetic permeability μ. An orientation transition in polycrystalline gadolinium initiated by the magnetic field H was proved in an experiment. The orientation transition in Gd particles smaller than 63 nm, the magnetic structure of which is close to the single-domain structure, occurred near T _c without the influence of H.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> sum rules with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> = 10 operators

The difference of vector and axial-vector charged current correlators is analyzed by means of QCD sum rules. The contribution of 10-dimensional 4-quark condensates is calculated and its value is estimated within the framework of the factorization hypothesis. It is compared to the result obtained from an operator fit of Borel sum rules in the complex q ²-plane, calculated from experimental data on hadronic -decays. This fit gives accurate values of the light quark condensate and the quark-gluon mixed condensate. The size of the high-order operators and the convergence of the operator series are discussed.Received: 10 May 2004, Revised: 7 September 2004, Published online: 18 November 2004     

Bianchi V cosmological model in Palatini <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

We apply the dynamical systems approach to investigate the spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type V models for the Palatini version of f(R) gravity. In particular, we examine the existence of equilibrium points along with their exact solutions and stability properties for two different forms of f(R). Moreover, the evolution of shear and spatial curvature by performing the phase space analysis are studied and also the phases of evolution from anisotropic universe to the stable de-Sitter flat universe are discussed.     

Discussion of isomeric ratios in (<Emphasis Type="Italic">p,n</Emphasis>) and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>, 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) reaction

Isomeric ratios (IR) in the (p, n) and (d, 2n) reactions are considered. The dependence of IR values on the projectile type and energy, the target- and product-nucleus spin, the spin difference between the isomeric and ground states of products, and the product mass number is discussed. The isomeric ratios for 46 product nuclei (from ^44m,gSc to ^127m,gXe) obtained in reactions where target and product nuclei have identical mass numbers were calculated at energies from the reaction threshold to 50 MeV (with a step of ΔE = 1 MeV). The calculations in question were performed with the aid of the TALYS 1.4 code package. The calculated IR values were compared with their experimental counterparts available from the literature (EXFOR database). In the majority of cases, the calculated IR values agree well with the experimental data in question. It is noteworthy that the IR values obtained in (d, 2n) reactions are substantially greater than those in (p, n) reactions.     

Design, synthesis and characterization of a linear hydrogen bonded homologous series

A linear hydrogen bonded liquid crystalline homologous series has been synthesized and characterized. Hydrogen bond is formed between p-n-dodecyloxy benzoic acid and various p-n-alkyl benzoic acids whose alkyl chain vary from octyl to ethyl. Synthesized complexes are characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR studies for inferring the formation of hydrogen bonds. Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM) and DSC studies reveal various mesophases and their corresponding transition temperatures along with respective enthalpy values. All the seven synthesized complexes exhibit rich liquid crystalline mesomorphism. A new phase namely smectic X has been observed in five of the complexes with a narrow thermal range. This phase has been characterized by optical textural, DSC, tilt angle and helicoidal pitch studies. Smectic X is sandwiched between traditional smectic C and re-entrant smectic C (designated as C_R) phases. Homeotropic transition in nematic phase is observed in all the mesogens and thus these materials can be used as thermally controlled optical shutters. Tilt angle in smectic C, smectic X and smectic C_R phases have been experimentally elucidated for all the mesogens.     

Mechanical and Dynamic Stability of Complete and Nonstoichiometric 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> from Ab Initio Calculations

The energies of formation of vacancies in the carbon and silicon sublattices, the independent elastic constants, the all-round compression, shear and Young’s moduli, and the anisotropy coefficients are determined for the complete and nonstoichiometric cubic phases of 3C-Si_xC_y (x, y = 1.0–0.75) by ab initio methods of the band theory. In the formalism of the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), the phonon dispersion dependences are obtained for these phases (the comparison with the experiment is given for the complete phase). It is shown that the mechanical characteristics of the phases become strongly anisotropic upon the transition from 3C-SiC_0.875 to 3C-SiC_0.75. It is established from the analysis of the phonon dispersion curves that the 3C-SiC_0.875 and 3C-SiC_0.75 phases, in contrast to the complete 3C-SiC phase, are dynamically unstable at T = 0 K.     

Study of High <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis></Subscript> pion production with CBM at SIS 100 energies

Transverse momentum spectra of π^± and the π⁺/π⁻—ratios are obtained for the Au + Au central collisions at the energies of 6, 8 and 10 AGeV. The particles identification has been done using the time-of-flight information from RPCs. The pions with large values of the transverse momentum can provide the information of the coexistence phase even in the energy domain of SIS100.     

Scattering of <Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis> bosons at high-energy lepton colliders

We present a new study of quasi-elastic W and Z scattering processes in high-energy \(e^+e^-\) collisions, based on and extrapolating the low-energy effective theory which extends the standard model with a \(125\;\text {GeV}\) Higgs boson. We parameterize deviations in the low-energy range in terms of the dimension-eight operators that arise in the effective theory. Smoothly extending this to higher energy, we study a set of simplified models of new physics in W / Z scattering, (1) a structureless extrapolation of the effective theory, and (2) scalar and tensor resonance multiplets. The high-energy asymptotics of all models is regulated by a universal unitarization procedure. This enables us to provide benchmark scenarios which can be meaningfully evaluated off shell and in exclusive event samples, and to determine the sensitivity of an \(e^+e^-\) collider to the model parameters. We analyze the longitudinal vector-boson scattering modes, where we optimize the cuts for the fiducial cross section for different collider scenarios. Here, we choose energy stages of 1.0, 1.4 and 3 TeV, as motivated by the extendability of the ILC project and the staging scenario of the CLIC project.     

Synthesis of TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>-based ceramics by plasma spraying

Structure of ceramics obtained by the plasma spray deposition of spherical TiO₂ powders has been investigated. An electron microscopy study of the surfaces and cross sections of particles in the initial powder and of the deposited ceramic coatings was performed. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering data proved that the coatings were mainly structured as rutile. In addition, Raman and X-ray diffraction data have revealed an amorphous phase, an anatase phase, and non-stoichiometric phases Ti₈O₁₅, Ti₁₀O₁₉, Ti₇O₁₃, etc. being present in the coatings. The observed suppression of (011) and (111) XRD peaks and an increased intensity of (110) peak are indicative of a predominant orientation of grains in the synthesized ceramics. Mechanisms of formation of the complex coating structure are discussed.     

Observations of nanoscopic,face centered cubic Ti and TiH<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Transmission electron microscopy has been used to study ball milled and H cycled NaAlH₄ with 10 mol% TiCl₃. Isolated from the main phases in this hydrogen storage system, nanocrystalline aggregates of fcc TiH _x (0≤x<0.67) were found. The value of x was determined based on the assumption of a linear increase of the TiH _x lattice parameter by increasing H content. The size of the TiH _x crystallites was in the range 10 to 20 nm, and the lattice parameter decreased from 4.22 Å in TiH_0.67 to 4.10 Å in pure fcc Ti. Non-equilibrium ball milling and subsequent H cycling in combination with a small crystallite size are believed to make the TiH _x phase stable. The present results are the first observations of fcc TiH _x with low hydrogen content, and the measured fcc lattice parameter of Ti matches first-principles calculations.     

Study of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> ion effect on the chemical bond of Ti and O ions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> = Sr,Ba, Ca,Pb) crystals with perovskite structure

The local Ti d densities of states in the valence band have been calculated in clusters of ATiO₃ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb) crystals with perovskite structure by the full multiple scattering method. The d density of states in PbTiO₃ crystal is found to significantly differ from that in other crystals. This fact indicates a significant effect of lead ions on the chemical bond between Ti and O ions in this crystal.     

Electrochemical detection of aqueous nitrite based on poly(aniline-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenol)-modified glassy carbon electrode

Nitrite is a common contaminant in drinking water and groundwater with high environmental and health risks. Electrochemical sensing method is a selective and easy technique to detect nitrite in water. In this study, we report a research about a poly(aniline-co-o-aminophenol)-modified glassy carbon electrode (PAOA/GCE) for aqueous nitrite detection. With stable redox activity and conductivity in a wide pH range compared with polyaniline, PAOA is suitable to be used as electrode material in a neutral medium. The PAOA/GCE was prepared by cyclic voltammogram method by electrochemical copolymerization of o-aminophenol and aniline. SEM and FT-IR results proved the formation of PAOA, and the electrode exhibited higher responses toward nitrite oxidation compared with polyaniline-modified GCE and bare GCE. We also studied the impact of scan rate, pH, and temperature on nitrite detection. The PAOA/GCE could be used in a wide pH range from 2 to 8 and used to detect nitrite in the linear range from 5.0 × 10^?6 to 2.0 × 10^?3 M with the detection limit of 2 × 10^?6 M. Its excellent reproducibility, stability, and anti-interference ability make it a promising electrode in detecting aqueous nitrite in drinking water and groundwater.     

Intramolecular interactions in antiviral derivatives of 4,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-2-aminophenol

We have used Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy to study intramolecular interactions in solutions of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-aminophenol in n-hexane. When the hydroxyl group in the molecule is ortho to the amino group, an O―H⋅⋅⋅N intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed in the 4-6-di-tert-butyl-2-aminophenol derivatives, where the strength of the hydrogen bond depends on the type of substituent at the para position of the phenyl ring. If there are electron-donor groups on the phenyl ring, then a stronger O―H⋅⋅⋅N bond is formed in the 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-aminophenol derivatives than in molecules containing electron-acceptor Cl and Br atoms. Formation of the above-indicated intramolecular hydrogen bond affects the course of radiation-induced reactions occurring in n-hexane with participation of these compounds and also affects their antiviral activity. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 3, pp. 434–439, May–June, 2009.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>(1) eV sterile neutrino in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

We refer [1] to the role of an additional O(1) eV sterile neutrino in modified gravity models. We find parameter constraints in particular f(R) gravity model using following up-to-dated cosmological data: measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy, the CMB lensing potential, the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), the cluster mass function and the Hubble constant. It was obtained for the sterile neutrino mass 0.47 eV < m _ν,sterile < 1 eV (2σ) assuming that the sterile neutrinos are thermalized and the active neutrinos are massless, not significantly larger than in the standard cosmology model within the same data set: 0.45 eV < m _ν,sterile < 0.92 eV (2σ). But, if the mass of sterile neutrino is fixed and equals ≈ 1.5 eV according to various anomalies in neutrino oscillation experiments, f(R) gravity is much more consistent with observation data than the CDM model.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = 0 phase diagram of the 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> Hubbard model with magnetic interactions in the narrow band limit

In this paper we study a generalization of the Hubbard model by considering spin-spin interactions described by the exchange constant J. An external magnetic field his also taken into account. In the narrowband limit and for the 1D case, we present the exact solution obtained in the framework of the Green’s function formalism, using the Composite Operator Method. We report the T = 0 phase diagram for both ferro (J > 0) and anti-ferro (J < 0) couplings. The competition of the different energy scales (U, J, and h; being U the local charge interaction) generates a variety of phases and different charge and spin orderings.