Superconductivity in bulk T′-(La,Sm)2CuO4 prepared via a molten alkaline hydroxide route

We have synthesized La_2?xSm_xCuO₄ (0 ? x ? 2.0) with the Nd₂CuO₄ structure via a molten alkaline hydroxide route at temperatures as low as 400–480 °C. After reduction heat treatment in vacuum at 600–750 °C for removal of excess oxygen atoms at the interstitial apical site, superconductivity with T_c = 20–24 K was observed in the samples with x = 0.05–1.0. The superconducting volume fraction is nearly 100% for x = 0.3–0.7. Our results demonstrate that La_2?xSm_xCuO₄ with no nominal carrier doping is a bulk superconductor.     

Fredholm operators,evolution semigroups,and periodic solutions of nonlinear periodic systems

Let X be a Banach space and L the generator of the evolution semigroup associated with the τ  -periodic evolutionary process _{{U(t,s)}t≥s}${\{U(t,s)\}}_{t\ge s}$ on the space _Pτ(X)$P_{\tau }(X)$ of all τ-periodic continuous X  -valued functions. We give criteria for the existence of periodic solutions to nonlinear systems of the form Lp=−?F(p,?)$Lp=-?F(p,?)$ under the condition that 1 is a normal eigenvalue of the monodromy operator U(τ,0)$U(\tau ,0)$. The proof is based on a new decomposition of the space _Pτ(X)$P_{\tau }(X)$ by constructing a right inverse of L.     

Versatile self-assembled hybrid systems with exotic structures and unique functions

In this review article, we describe recent progress about exotic self-assembled systems with various dimensions including biomolecules, supramolecules, unique hydrophobic amphiphiles, polymers, nano-clusters, and colloidal particles. Construction of robust biomolecular assemblies with exotic structures, such as ring and hollow capsule, is achieved by rational designs of symmetric biomolecular conjugates. In addition, we comprehensively summarized leading-edge topics on optical/topological properties of self-assembled hybrid systems, such as circularly polarized luminescence or structural color. The preparation of colloidal amorphous array with photonic band gap-induced angle-independent structural color is also achieved in consideration of the following situations: i) two-body sphere–sphere potential, ii) disorder packing using different sizes of colloidal particles, and iii) softness of colloidal particles. Lastly, we demonstrated useful utilizations of exotic self-assembled objects. Flakelike microparticles were transcribed into various nano-flake metals and applied as temperature indicator for the local heating of an addictive. All findings described here show meaningful hybrid strategies in self-assembly techniques and their functionalization as well as materialization.     

First observation of a smectic A-cholesteric phase transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal consisting of a rigid-rod helical polysilane

A smectic A-cholesteric phase transition for a rigid-rod helical polymer, poly[n-decyl-(S)-2-methylbutylsilane] (PD2MBS), with a narrow molecular weight distribution, has been observed for the first time. Polarizing optical microscopy showed that the fan-shaped texture of the smectic A phase turned into the characteristic planar texture of the cholesteric phase upon heating. The positive CD band, which corresponds to the reflection band of the cholesteric phase, gradually decreased in intensity within a range 30°C below the transition temperature on cooling, while the peak maximum shifted towards shorter wavelengths. It was concluded that the system has a very wide temperature region over which the cholesteric-smectic A phase transition occurs and in which the cholesteric pitch varies with temperature.     

Construction of Perfect Crystals Conjecturally Corresponding to Kirillov-Reshetikhin Modules over Twisted Quantum Affine Algebras

Assuming the existence of the perfect crystal bases of Kirillov-Reshetikhin modules over simply-laced quantum affine algebras, we construct certain perfect crystals for twisted quantum affine algebras, and also provide compelling evidence that the constructed crystals are isomorphic to the conjectural crystal bases of Kirillov-Reshetikhin modules over twisted quantum affine algebras.     

Recurrent dimensions of quasi-periodic solutions for nonlinear evolution equations

In this paper we introduce recurrent dimensions of discrete dynamical systems and we give upper and lower bounds of the recurrent dimensions of the quasi-periodic orbits. We show that these bounds have different values according to the algebraic properties of the frequency and we investigate these dimensions of quasi-periodic trajectories given by solutions of a nonlinear PDE.

     

Sorption and partial molar volume of gases in poly (dimethyl siloxane)

Sorption of N₂, O₂, Ar, CH₄, CO₂, C₂H₄, and C₂H₆ in poly (dimethyl siloxane) liquid and rubber and the dilation of the polymers due to sorption of the gases are studied at 25°C under pressures up to 50 atm. In the liquid, the sorption isotherms for low-solubility and high-solubility gases are described by Henry's law and the Flory–Huggins equation, respectively. Gas sorption in the rubber, which contains a 29 wt % silica filler, follows the dual-mode sorption model, though marked hysteresis is observed in the sorption of O₂ and CH₄. The dilation isotherms increase linearly or exponentially in both polymers with increasing pressure. Considering that gas molecules adsorbed into micropores of the filler particles do not participate in the dilation, partial molar volumes of the dissolved gases in the rubber are determined from data of sorption and dilation. The values are nearly equal to the partial molar volumes in the liquid (48–60 cm³/mol).     

Silver-catalyzed synthesis of disubstituted isoxazoles by cyclization of alkynyl oxime ethers

A facile and practical synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles via a silver-catalyzed cyclization and subsequent protonation of alkynyl oxime ethers has been developed. The methodology was successfully applied to the synthesis of a biologically active isoxazolecarboxylic acid.     

Validated method using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of contamination of the exterior surface of vials containing platinum anticancer drugs

Contamination of the exterior surface of vials of cytostatic drugs by the drugs themselves is a potential hazard to human health. This study developed a validated method using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for the determination of contamination of the exteriors of vials of cisplatin and carboplatin. Large Alpha^® sampling swabs were employed to wipe the vial exterior. Cisplatin or carboplatin and gold(III) as an internal standard were derivatized by N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC). Pt(DDTC)₃⁺ and Au(DDTC)₂⁺ were monitored by the respective transitions of m/z 639.3-490.9 and 493.0-345.0, respectively. Each separation was completed within 9 min using a 3 μm particle ODS-column. Calibration curves for cisplatin and carboplatin were linear over concentration ranges of 30-10,000 and 30-30,000 pg vial⁻¹, respectively. The accuracies and precisions were 96.1-102.5% and within 8.2% for intra-assay and 99.6-103.3% and within 7.6% for inter-assay, respectively. Their lower limit of quantification was 30 pg vial⁻¹. Amounts of 0.17-17.0 ng vial⁻¹ as cisplatin and 0.48-794 ng vial⁻¹ as carboplatin were detected from the exterior surface of the vials. This validated method using LC-ESI-MS/MS for the determination of platinum anticancer drugs is helpful for monitoring contamination of the exterior surface of drug vials.