A topological characterization of the Sierpiński triangle

We present a topological characterization of the Sierpiński triangle. This answers question 58 from the Problem book of the Open Problem Seminar held at Charles University. In fact we give a characterization of the Apollonian gasket first. Consequently we show that any subcontinuum of the Apollonian gasket, whose boundary consists of three points, is homeomorphic to the Sierpiński triangle.     

Nonorganic semiconductor - Conductive polymer intercalate nanohybrids: Fabrication, properties, application

Impedance spectroscopy studies performed for intercalated multilayer structures of the type of a layered inorganic semiconductor (InSe)/conducting polymer (PEDOT:PSS) revealed low-frequency inductive response and the growth of dielectric permeability in megahertz region together with the decrease of dielectric loss angle down to one as a consequence of the conducting polymer intercalation into semiconducting layers. A model describing the unusual current-voltage characteristic is proposed.     

Competing energy scales in high‐temperature superconductors: Ultrafast pump–probe studies

We present a review of photoexcited quasiparticle dynamics of cuprate and pnictide high‐temperature superconductors in regimes (temperature, doping) where different phases such as superconductivity, spin‐density‐wave (SDW) and pseudogap phases coexist or compete with one another. We start with the overdoped cuprate superconductor Y_1–xCa_x Ba₂Cu₃O_7–δ, where the superconducting gap and pseudogap coexist in the superconducting state. In another cuprate Tl₂Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y, we ob‐ serve a competition between SDW and superconducting orders deep in the superconducting state. Finally, in the underdoped iron pnictide superconductor (Ba,K)Fe₂As₂, SDW order forms at 85 K, followed by superconductivity at 28 K. We also find the emergence of a normal‐state order that suppresses SDW at a temperature T * ～ 60 K and argue that this normal‐state order is a precursor to superconductivity. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An investigation on visible luminescence of Ho activated LBTAF glasses

Different concentrations of Ho³⁺-doped lead borate titanate aluminum fluoride (LBTAFHo) glasses with chemical composition of PbO-H₃BO₃-TiO₂-AlF₃-Ho₂O₃ were prepared by the melt quenching method. The spectral properties were investigated using the absorption, emission and decay measurements. The experimental oscillator strengths were calculated from the area under the absorption bands. Applying Judd-Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters (Ω_{λ=2, 4, 6}) were calculated, by the least square fit approach from which the radiative transition rates, luminescence branching ratios and radiative decay times were determined. The photoluminescence spectra revealed the quenching of luminescence intensity beyond 1.0 mol% of Ho³⁺ ion concentration. To investigate the luminescence potentiality of ⁵F₄→⁵I₈ emission level, the effective bandwidth and the stimulated emission cross-section were determined. The quenching in experimental decay time is attributed to the resonance energy transfer among the excited Ho³⁺ ions.     

One-step synthesis ofα,β-unsaturated arylsulfones by a novel multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehydes,chloroacetonitrile, benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt

A new and green method for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated arylsulfones had been achieved through the condensation of aromatic aldehydes,chloroacetonitrile,benzenesulfinic acid sodium salt in the presence of l-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hydroxide([bmim]OH) in EtOH under reflux.The ionic liquid was recovered and recycled for subsequent reactions.The advantages of this protocol were non-toxic,easy work-up and good yields.     

Structure Analysis of Needle-like Copper Tantalum Trisulfide Crystals by XPS and Raman Spectroscopy

High-quality needle-like CuTaS3 single crystals have been synthesized through a chemical vapor transport(CVT)process.Crystallographic data show the special double chains of edge-sharing TaS6 octahedra....     

Importance of verifying queue model assumptions before planning with simulation software

This case study uses empirical data gathered at an Australian refinery to verify the assumptions for queue distributions before using special-purpose software to plan the off-road-truck hauling of titanium dioxide to a refinery (n = 773). Easy-to-use spreadsheet software is utilized to verify assumptions for queue models. Managers are able to make decisions based on economic implications of queue models to avoid making costly planning mistakes. Analysts can use nonparametric hypothesis-testing techniques to verify distribution assumptions for optimization without having to write hard-to-maintain and complex algebraic linear equations or nonlinear search routines.     

Stereochemical assignments of aldol products of 2‐arylimino‐3‐aryl‐thiazolidine‐4‐ones by 1H NMR

The aldol reactions of 2‐arylimino‐3‐aryl‐thiazolidine‐4‐ones with benzaldehyde carried out at ?78 °C were found to produce sec‐carbinols. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding within the aldol products forming a six‐membered ring enabled the assignment of stereochemistries of the major and minor diastereomers via analysis of the syn and anti ³J_H,H ¹H NMR coupling constants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substituent electrophilicities in the NMR spectra of barbituric derivatives

Comparison of the ¹H and ¹³ C NMR spectra of a series of substituted 5‐benzylidene‐N,N′‐dimethylbarbituric acids (1) revealed chemical‐shift variations of different centers that correlated with the theoretical electrophilicities or with the substituent electrophilic constant σ_ω , in an example of the usefulness of these DFT‐based indices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The structure of glibenclamide in the solid state

The structure of glibenclamide, 5‐chloro‐N‐(2‐{4‐[(cyclohexylamino)carbonyl] aminosulfonyl}phenyl) ethyl)‐2‐methoxybenzamide, an important antidiabetic drug, has been studied both in solution and in the solid state by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The possibility that glibenclamide suffers a tautomerization under melting to afford a desmotrope was rejected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.