Disordering effects in the atomic structure of fine-crystalline HTSC YBa2Cu3O y

The atomic structure of YBa₂Cu₃O _y fine-crystalline HTSC samples with various average crystallite sizes ??D?? ranging from 0.4 to 2 ??m and an oxygen concentration y close to the optimal value for superconductivity (y ?? 6.93) is investigated by the neutron diffraction technique. We have found some effects associated with the redistribution of cations and oxygen atoms and with variations in the positions of atomic layers in the unit cell, which are not observed in macrocrystalline samples. In all probability, these effects appear due to nonequilibrium conditions of synthesis required for obtaining this compound in the fine-crystalline state. The results have made it possible to explain the peculiar physical properties of fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples (in particular, the coexistence of high superconducting transition temperatures T _c and noticeably lower values of magnetization in strong magnetic fields for T < T _c ). It is shown that a nanoscale structural inhomogeneity exists in fine-crystalline YBa₂Cu₃O _y samples with the optimal oxygen content and changes the fundamental superconducting parameters, viz., the magnetic field penetration depth and the coherence length.     

Derived Azumaya algebras and generators for twisted derived categories

We introduce a notion of derived Azumaya algebras over ring and schemes generalizing the notion of Azumaya algebras of Grothendieck (Le groupe de Brauer. I. Algèbres d’Azumaya et interprétations diverses. Dix Exposés sur la Cohomologie des Schémas, pp. 46–66, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1968). We prove that any such algebra B on a scheme X provides a class ϕ(B) in . We prove that for X a quasi-compact and quasi-separated scheme ϕ defines a bijective correspondence, and in particular that any class in , torsion or not, can be represented by a derived Azumaya algebra on X. Our result is a consequence of a more general theorem about the existence of compact generators in twisted derived categories, with coefficients in any local system of reasonable dg-categories, generalizing the well known existence of compact generators in derived categories of quasi-coherent sheaves of Bondal and Van Den Bergh (Mosc. Math. J. 3(1):1–36, 2003). A huge part of this paper concerns the treatment of twisted derived categories, as well as the proof that the existence of compact generator locally for the fppf topology implies the existence of a global compact generator. We present explicit examples of derived Azumaya algebras that are not represented by classical Azumaya algebras, as well as applications of our main result to the localization for twisted algebraic K-theory and to the stability of saturated dg-categories by direct push-forwards along smooth and proper maps.     

Structure of planar integral self‐affine tilings

For a self‐affine tile in $\mathbf {R}^2$ generated by an expanding matrix $A\in M_2(\mathbf {Z})$ and an integral consecutive collinear digit set ${\mathcal D}$, Leung and Lau [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 359 , 3337–3355 (2007).] provided a necessary and sufficient algebraic condition for it to be disklike. They also characterized the neighborhood structure of all disklike tiles in terms of the algebraic data A and ${\mathcal D}$. In this paper, we completely characterize the neighborhood structure of those non‐disklike tiles. While disklike tiles can only have either six or eight edge or vertex neighbors, non‐disklike tiles have much richer neighborhood structure. In particular, other than a finite set, a Cantor set, or a set containing a nontrivial continuum, neighbors can intersect in a union of a Cantor set and a countable set.     

Proteomic analysis reveals platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin as prognostic markers in severe acute respiratory syndrome

Previously, we reported that proteomic fingerprints were present in sera of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and could separate patients into subgroups with different prognoses. In the present study, we examined the prognostic values of the SARS-associated proteomic features by biostatistical analysis, and deciphered the identities of those with prognostic values. Data of 20 SARS-associated serum proteomic features and ten serological variables from 38 SARS adult patients before treatment were subjected to multivariate logistic regression. Proteomic features of m/z 6634, m/z 7769, m/z 8635, and m/z 8865 were identified as independent prognostic markers. After purification by cation-exchange chromatography and gel electrophoresis, proteomic features of m/z 7769 and m/z 8865 were found to be platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) by tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The associations of decreased serum PF4 and increased serum beta-TG levels with poor prognosis were confirmed by Western blot. Previous studies suggest that PF4 and beta-TG are involved in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a negative and positive way, respectively. Our results suggest that PF4 and beta-TG may also play similar roles in the development of ARDS in SARS patients.     

On parameter estimation of threshold autoregressive models

This paper studies the threshold estimation of a TAR model when the underlying threshold parameter is a random variable. It is shown that the Bayesian estimator is consistent and its limit distribution is expressed in terms of a limit likelihood ratio. Furthermore, convergence of moments of the estimators is also established. The limit distribution can be computed via explicit simulations from which testing and inference for the threshold parameter can be conducted. The obtained results are illustrated with numerical simulations.     

A Thermodynamic Study of 1-Propanol–Glycerol–H2O at 25°C: Effect of Glycerol on Molecular Organization of H2O

The excess chemical potential, partial molar enthalpy, and volume of 1-propanol were determined in ternary mixtures of 1-propanol–glycerol–H₂O at 25°C. The mole fraction dependence of all these thermodynamic functions was used to elucidate the effect of glycerol on the molecular organization of H₂O. The glycerol molecules do not exert a hydrophobic effect on H₂O. Rather, the hydroxyl groups of glycerol, perhaps by forming clusters via its alkyl backbone with hydroxyl groups pointing outward, interact with H₂O so as to reduce the characteristics of liquid H₂O. The global hydrogen bond probability and, hence, the percolation nature of the hydrogen bond network is reduced. In addition, the degree of fluctuation inherent in liquid H₂O is reduced by glycerol perhaps by participating in the hydrogen bond network via OH groups. At infinite dilution, the pair interaction coefficients in enthalpy were evaluated and these data suggest a possibility that the interaction is mediated through H₂O.     

Ethenedithione (S=C=C=S): Does It Obey Hund's Rule?

Significantly higher in energy (24 kJ mol⁻¹) than the triplet ground state (³Σ_g⁻) is the ¹Δ_g state of ethenedithione (S=C=C=S), in agreement with Hund's rule. This result was obtained from high-level ab initio calculations. Thus, ethenedithione cannot, as had been proposed, be considered as the first example for the violation of Hund's rule in an equilibrium structure.     

Effect of ionic pendent groups on a polyaniline-based electrorheological fluid

Particles of semiconducting polyaniline and a copolyaniline bearing ionic substituents were synthesized. Electrorheological (ER) fluids using these particles were compared with each other with respect to their rheological properties and dielectric spectra. In the steady shear rheological experiment conducted at 3 kV/mm (DC) at 25°C, the copolymer system showed higher stress than the polyaniline system in the whole shear rate region. This result was interpreted in terms of the conductivities of the particles and their dielectric spectra. Especially, the different behavior in the high shear rate region can be related to the electrical relaxation phenomena observed in the dielectric spectra.