Point defect parameters for β-PbF2 from a computer analysis of measurements of ionic conductivity

The conductivity of four crystals of β-PbF₂ has been measured. The results for three of these crystals, one doped with La³⁺ and two doped with Na ⁺ impurity, have been analysed with a non-linear least squares programme to yield the thermodynamic parameters of defect formation and migration below the superionic transition. These parameters are compared with previous values and are used to provide estimates of the defect concentrations in the superionic phase. This work suggests that the superionic phase is not massively disordered and that β-PbF₂ is not significantly different from other fluorites.     

Inclusive ϱ0 production in γp interactions at 2.8, 4.7, and 9.3 GeV

Inclusive ?⁰ production in γp → ?⁰ + anything is studied at 2.8, 4.7, and 9.3 GeV, using the SLAC linearly polarized backscattered laser photon beam and the 82 inch hydrogen bubble chamber. Over this energy range the inclusive inelastic ?⁰ cross section rises from 6.0 μb to 20.5 μb. The multiplicity, i.e. the average number of μ⁰ mesons per inelastic hadronic event, has an energy dependence consistent with 1n s.The inclusive cross section is studied as a function of Feynman x, c.m. rapidity, and p_T² variables, and is also broken down into exclusive channels. At 9.3 GeV a forward inelastic peak is observed in the x distribution, containing mainly polarized ?⁰ mesons. The cross section for this inealastic diffractive component is 2.7 ± 0.6 μb. The p_T² distributions are exponential with a slope of 3 ? 4 (GeV/c)^?2, similar to that found in inclusive ?⁰ production in pp and μp reactions.     

High-temperature transport in fluorites

The high-temperature fluorites are amongst the simplest materials to show superionic conductivity. In this paper the recent experimental and theoretical studies of the nature of disorder and transport in the halide fluorites is reviewed. The majority of the evidence is in favour of anion motion by discrete jumps and not by a cooperative liquid-like diffusion. It is also clear that the anions do not appreciably occupy the cube-centre interstitial sites of the lattice. The exact nature and extent of the disorder has still to be resolved, although the number of mobile defects appears to be relatively small.     

The effect of inextensibility on elastic surface waves

It is shown that when the complications associated with material anisotropy are absent a simple exact analysis can be given of the effect of unidirectional inextensibility on the propagation of surface waves in a semi-infinite elastic body. Provided that the direction of inextensibility e is not orthogonal to either m or m Λ n (m being the outward unit normal to the traction-free boundary of the body and n the wave normal), a unique surface wave exists with displacement everywhere orthogonal to e. The surface-wave solution is assembled from inhomogeneous plane waves in the usual manner, but a novel feature is the presence of a degenerate wave producing no displacement yet perturbing sinusoidally the tension in the inextensible fibres. When the aforementioned provisos are not met the surface wave either degenerates continuously into a shear wave (when $\text{(}\text{m}\text{Λ}\text{n}\text{)·}\text{e}\text{= 0,}\text{m}\text{·}\text{e}\text{≠ 0)}$, ceases to exist (when $\text{m}\text{·}\text{e}\text{= 0,}\text{n}\text{·}\text{e}\text{≠ 0)}$, or merges smoothly into a Rayleigh wave (when $\text{(}\text{e}\text{=±}\text{m}\text{Λ}\text{n}$, the inextensibility constraint then being inoperative).     

Effects of MgCl2 Crystallographic Structure on Active Centre Formation in Immobilized Single‐Centre and Ziegler–Natta Catalysts for Ethylene Polymerization

The ability of a MgCl₂ support to activate a transition metal catalyst has been found to depend both on the crystallographic structure of the support and on the nature of the catalyst. A high degree of crystallographic disorder can be very effective for the immobilization and activation of titanium and vanadium complexes, but is not necessarily effective for zirconocene activation. A highly disordered support prepared by the reaction of MgBu₂ with HCl gave high activity with TiCl₄ but low activity with (n‐PrCp)₂ZrCl₂. High polymerization activities with the zirconocene were only obtained with supports of type MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_3−n prepared from the reaction of AlR₃ with MgCl₂ · 1.1EtOH. These supports are characterized by additional peaks in the X‐ray diffraction pattern, indicating the presence of a crystalline structure which is absent in the other supports and contains highly Lewis acidic sites able to generate the active metallocenium species.

     

Automatic detection of hippocampal atrophy on magnetic resonance images.

An automatic method for identifying hippocampal atrophy on magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained from patients with clinical evidence of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is described. The method is based on the analysis of image intensity differences between patients and controls within a volume of interest (VOI) centred on the hippocampus. The core of the method is a fully automatic signal intensity-based inter-subject image registration technique. In particular, a global affine registration to a reference image is performed, followed by a local affine registration within the VOI. A mask produced by manual segmentation of the mean hippocampus for 30 control subjects enabled investigations to be restricted to a specified region of the VOI approximately corresponding to the hippocampus. Normal variations of hippocampal signal intensity were computed from images obtained for the 30 control subjects. The manual method of hippocampal volumetry, currently an important component of the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with clinical evidence of medically intractable TLE, is used to determine the lower 1st percentile limits of normal hippocampal volume. Hippocampi with volumes below this limit are defined as atrophic. We investigated whether the automatic method can correctly distinguish between 15 patients with significant hippocampal atrophy according to absolute volumes and a further 14 controls. ROC curves enabled evaluation of sensitivity and specificity in respect of an intensity threshold. 100% specificity is required when determining suitability of patients for neurosurgery, resulting in levels of 50% and 70% sensitivity in detecting atrophy in the right and left hippocampus, respectively. We propose that the method can be developed as an automatic screening procedure.     

Azo‐MICs: Redox‐Active Mesoionic Carbene Ligands Derived from Azoimidazolium Dyes

Azoimidazolium dyes were used as precursors for mesoionic carbene ligands (Azo‐MICs). The properties of these ligands were examined by synthesizing Rh^I, Au^I, and Pd^II complexes. Experimental (NMR, IR) and theoretical investigations show that Azo‐MICs are potent σ‐donor ligands. Yet, they feature a small singlet–triplet gap and very low‐lying LUMO levels. The unique electronic properties of Azo‐MICs allow for reversible one‐electron reductions of the metal complexes, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry.     

MAO‐Free Activation of Metallocenes and other Single‐Site Catalysts for Ethylene Polymerization using Spherical Supports based on MgCl2

Summary: Supports of type MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_3−n, obtained by reaction of AlR₃ with adducts of MgCl₂ and ethanol, have been shown to be effective for the immobilization and activation of [Cp₂TiCl₂] and other single‐site olefin polymerization catalysts without the use of methylaluminoxane or a borate activator. Polyethylene with a spherical particle morphology and narrow molecular weight distribution was obtained.

     

Immobilization and Activation of a Single‐Site Chromium Catalyst for Ethylene Polymerization using MgCl2/AlRn(OEt)3 − n Supports

Summary: The effective immobilization and activation of a single‐site chromium catalyst for ethylene polymerization has been achieved using MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_{3 − n} supports, without the use of methylaluminoxane (MAO) or a borate activator. High catalyst activity and a spherical polyethylene‐particle morphology is obtained. Furthermore, the single‐site characteristics of the catalyst are retained, the narrow molecular weight distribution of the polymers obtained are apparent from gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and confirmed by rheological characterization.

Shear frequency dependence of the storage modulus of (♦ and ▴) polyethylene ( = 1.8–1.9) prepared using an immobilized Cr catalyst, compared to (▪) a reference polymer having = 4.1.