Improvement of the crystal rotation method to measure the flexoelectric difference (e1–e3) in achiral materials using AC electric fields

We show that the crystal rotation method for measuring the difference between splay and bend flexoelectric coefficients (e₁–e₃) [Outram and Elston, Liq. Cryst. 39, 149 (2012)] can be improved by using AC instead of DC fields. The field frequency is small (~0.05 Hz), yet sufficient to get rid of the difficulties connected with the migration of charge carriers. The method is sensitive enough so as to use fields with amplitudes as small as 1 V/mm. This has the advantage of avoiding the consideration of the interaction due to the dielectric anisotropy, and greatly simplifies the analysis of data. The results are extracted from a simple fitting scheme, which involves two parameters. In particular (e₁–e₃) is obtained from a scale factor in a one-parameter fit. Measurements of the temperature dependence of (e₁–e₃) are presented for two classical nematic materials.     

Chronopotentiometric Study of the Reaction Am (III) + 3e → Am(o) in Molten Licl-KCl Eutectic

Abstract

A chronopotentiometric study of the reaction Am(III) + 3e → Am(O) in molten LiCl-KCL is reported. The diffusion coefficient ^DAm(III) increases from 3.5 to 26.0 10^?6 cm² sec^?1 when the temperature was raised from 400 to 650°C. The mechanism of the diffusion is discussed on the base of the hole theory for molten salts.     

Isomeric yield ratios of 148Pm from the natSm(γ, x) and the natNd(p,xn) reactions

The independent isomeric yield ratios of ¹⁴⁸Pm from the ^natSm(γ, x) reaction at the end-point bremsstrahlung energy of 45–64 MeV have been determined using an off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique at the 100 MeV electron linac of Pohang accelerator laboratory, Pohang, Korea. We also have determined the isomeric yield ratios of ¹⁴⁸Pm from the ^natNd(p,xn) reactions in the proton energy of 5.08–44.72 MeV by a stacked-foil activation and an off-line γ-ray spectrometric techniques at the MC-50 cyclotron of the Korean Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Korea. The determined isomeric yield ratios of ¹⁴⁸Pm were compared with literature data and theoretical values estimated by the TALYS 1.4. The present data along with the similar data from literature at other energies shows that the isomeric yield ratio of ¹⁴⁸Pm increases with the excitation energy both in the ^natSm(γ, x) and the ^natNd(p, xn) reactions. The isomeric yield ratios of ¹⁴⁸Pm from the ^natNd(p, xn) reactions are always higher than those from the ^natSm(γ, x) reactions at the same excitation energy, which indicate the role of input angular momentum besides excitation energy.     

About the Secondary Electron Emission Yield, δ, from e−-Irradiated Insulators

 To account for the published yield curves, δ = f ( E ₀), of some insulators such as diamond, an elementary theory of secondary electron emission (s.e.e) is used. This theory permits the estimation of the effective attenuation lengths of the emitted electrons during their transport and to explain the significant differences between the s.e.e. from metals and that from insulators. Some practical consequences related for instance to the lack of topographic contrast in LVSEM and to charging mechanisms in electron beam techniques are then deduced.     

Ylenes in the M(II)→Si(IV) (M=Si, Ge, Sn) coordination mode

The reaction of the methimazolyl (mt, i.e., 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolide) substituted silane Si(mt)(4) with SnCl(2) and GeCl(2) in dioxane affords the paddlewheel-shaped complexes [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)MCl] (M=Sn (1) and Ge (2), respectively). These compounds represent the first crystallographically characterized hexacoordinate silicon complexes comprising a Sn or Ge atom in the Si coordination sphere. An attempt to synthesize the related silicon compound 3 [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)SiCl] instead afforded the trisilane [ClSi(μ-mt)(4)Si-SiCl(3)] (3a), which provides the first crystallographic evidence for the feasibility of oligosilanes with adjacent hexacoordinate Si atoms. One of the hexacoordinate Si atoms of 3a features the unprecedented (Si(2)S(4))Si skeleton. Natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses of compounds 1, 2, 3a (and the target compound 3) revealed characteristics of M(II)→Si(IV) (for 2 and 3) or M(I)→Si(IV) (for 3a) dative bonding in the systems with M=Si and Ge, whereas compound 1 exhibits a covalent Sn(III)-Si(III) bond.     

Magnetic behaviour of the MTbF6 fluoroterbates (M=Cd,Ca, Sr, (α/β)-Ba)

Neutron powder diffraction has been performed on the MTbF₆ fluorides (M=Cd, Ca, Sr, (α/β)-Ba). Four of these fluorides (Cd, Ca, Sr, β-Ba) are built of a (pseudo-) tetragonal packing of [TbF₆]^2? chains and only differs by the chains relative orientations. Thus this series represents a valuable opportunity to evaluate the Tb⁴⁺-Tb⁴⁺ magnetic interactions. All the compounds displayed antiferromagnetic order (T_N=2.70 K (Cd), 2.15 K (Ca), 2.60 K (Sr), 2.10 K (β-Ba)), except for the α form of BaTbF₆. The crystal structure of this latter fluoroterbate has also been investigated by means of high-resolution neutron powder diffraction. From Neutron Powder Diffraction data, CdTbF₆ and β-BaTbF₆ magnetic structures were determined, together with the metamagnetic behaviour of β-BaTbF₆ as a function of an external magnetic field. A tentative phase diagram is then given for β-BaTbF₆. Advantage was taken of the polymorphism of the BaTbF₆ fluoroterbate to analyse, on the basis of topological parameters such as bond distances and angles, the magnetic behaviour of its α and β forms. It was shown that superexchange interactions are present in β-BaTbF₆, and that these interactions may also rule the magnetic behaviour of the other MTbF₆ (M=Ca, Sr, Cd) tetravalent terbium fluorides.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the anation of (αβ)-hydroxo(tetraethylenepentamine)cobalt(III) by thiosulfate, the base hydrolysis of the (sulfur-bonded) thiosulfato(tetraethylenepentamine)-cobalt(III) and photochemistry of oxygen and sulfur-bonded thiosulfato complexes

Summary The reaction of ()-(tetren)CoOH²⁺ with S₂O ₃ ^2- in the 7.25–8.28 pH range at 20–40 °C yielded S- (yellow) and O- (purple) bonded thiosulfato(tetren)cobalt(III) complexes, the former in larger quantities. The rate determining step is preceded by diffusion-controlled ion-pair [(tetren)CoOH²⁺,S₂O ₃ ^2- ] formation. Replacement of coordinated OH^- by S₂O ₃ ^2- is interpreted in terms of an internal conjugate base mechanism: (tetren)CoOH²⁺ (tetren-H)CoOH ₂ ²⁺ , the reactive amido conjugate base being generated by intramolecular proton transfer from the coordinated NH site.In acid medium the S-bonded (tetren)Co(S₂O₃)⁺ is highly stable to redox decomposition, in contrast to its pentaammine analogue. The complex however, undergoes base hydrolysis yielding the corresponding hydroxo complex. The rate and activation parameters for the base hydrolysis have been reported. Photolysis of O- and S-bonded isomers of [(tetren)CoS₂O₃]⁺ in acidic medium at 254 and 313 nm, respectively, yielded aquation products accompanied by some decomposition of S₂O ₃ ^2- .     

Analysis of pigments and coverings by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro Raman spectroscopy (MRS) in the cemetery of Tutugi (Galera, Granada, Spain) and the settlement convento 2 (Montemayor, Córdoba, Spain)

This paper focuses on the identification of the composition of the coverings and pigments of two archaeological sites. The sites researched here lie in Andalusia and show two contexts, which have a highly symbolic and ritual meaning. The first, Convento 2 (Montemayor, Córdoba), dates back to the period of formation of the Iberian Culture (VIIth century b.c.). The second is the cemetery of Tutugi (Galera, Granada), of the mid-Iberian period (IVth century b.c.). The analytical procedure consisted in combined and complementary use of XRD and MRS. This allowed to identify the materials used, namely hematite, goethite, coal, gypsum and calcite. Identification of these materials proves essential for the restoration and musealization of both archaeological sites.     

An alternative route for the preparation of the medical isotope 99Mo from the 238U(γ, f) and 100Mo(γ, n) reactions

The radionuclide ⁹⁹Mo, which has a half-life of 65.94 h was produced from ²³⁸U(γ, f) and ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ, n) reactions using a 10 MeV electron linac at EBC, Kharghar Navi-Mumbai, India. This has been investigated since the daughter product ^99mTc is very important from a medical point of view and can be produced in a generator from the parent ⁹⁹Mo. The activity of ⁹⁹Mo was analyzed by a γ-ray spectrometric technique using a HPGe detector. From the detected γ-rays activity of 140.5 and 739.8 keV, the amount of ⁹⁹Mo produced was determined. For comparison, the amount of ⁹⁹Mo from ²³⁸U(γ, f) and ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ, n) reactions was also estimated using the experimental photon flux from ¹⁹⁷Au(γ, n)¹⁹⁶Au reaction. The amount of ⁹⁹Mo from the detected γ-lines is in agreement with the estimated value for ²³⁸U(γ, f) and ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ, n) reactions. The production of ⁹⁹Mo activity from ²³⁸U(γ, f) and ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ, n) reactions is a relevant and novel approach, which provides alternative routes to ^235,238U(n, f) and ⁹⁸Mo(n, γ) reactions, circumventing the need for a reactor. The viability and practicality of the ⁹⁹Mo production from the ²³⁸U(γ, f) and ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ, n) reactions alternative to ^235,238U(n, f) and ⁹⁸Mo(n, γ) reactions has been emphasize. An estimate has been also arrived based on the experimental data of present work to fulfill the requirement of DOE.     

Electrochemical and Theoretical Investigations of the Role of the Appended Base on the Reduction of Protons by [Fe(2) (CO)(4) (κ(2) -PNP(R) )(μ-S(CH(2) )(3) S] (PNP(R) ={Ph(2) PCH(2) }(2) NR, R=Me, Ph)

The behavior of [Fe(2) (CO)(4) (κ(2) -PNP(R) )(μ-pdt)] (PNP(R) =(Ph(2) PCH(2) )(2) NR, R=Me (1), Ph (2); pdt=S(CH(2) )(3) S) in the presence of acids is investigated experimentally and theoretically (using density functional theory) in order to determine the mechanisms of the proton reduction steps supported by these complexes, and to assess the role of the PNP(R) appended base in these processes for different redox states of the metal centers. The nature of the R substituent of the nitrogen base does not substantially affect the course of the protonation of the neutral complex by CF(3) SO(3) H or CH(3) SO(3) H; the cation with a bridging hydride ligand, 1?μH(+) (R=Me) or 2?μH(+) (R=Ph) is obtained rapidly. Only 1?μH(+) can be protonated at the nitrogen atom of the PNP chelate by HBF(4) ?Et(2) O or CF(3) SO(3) H, which results in a positive shift of the proton reduction by approximately 0.15?V. The theoretical study demonstrates that in this process, dihydrogen can be released from a η(2) -H(2) species in the Fe(I) Fe(II) state. When R=Ph, the bridging hydride cation 2?μH(+) cannot be protonated at the amine function by HBF(4) ?Et(2) O or CF(3) SO(3) H, and protonation at the N atom of the one-electron reduced analogue is also less favored than that of a S atom of the partially de-coordinated dithiolate bridge. In this situation, proton reduction occurs at the potential of the bridging hydride cation, 2?μH(+) . The rate constants of the overall proton reduction processes are small for both complexes 1 and 2 (k(obs) ≈4-7?s(-1) ) because of the slow intramolecular proton migration and H(2) release steps identified by the theoretical study.     

Facile Syntheses of (±)-Curcuphenol, (±)-Curcudiol, (±)-Curcuhydroquinone,and (±)-Curcuquinone

The syntheses of (±)-curcuphenol 1, (±)-curcudiol 2, (±)-curcuhydroquinone 3, and (±)-curcuquinone 4 have been achieved. The key steps involved in the syntheses were the Reformatsky reaction and hydrogenation reaction.     

Magnetic,spectroscopic and biological properties of copper(II) complexes of the tridentate ligand, α-N-methyl-S-methyl-β-N-(2-pyridyl)methylenedithiocarbazate(NNS) and the X-ray crystal structure of the [Cu(NNS)I2] complex

Copper(II) complexes of general formula, Cu(NNS)X ₂ · nH₂O (NNS = the 2-formylpyridine Schiff base of N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate; X = Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, NCS^–; n = 0, 2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by magnetic and spectroscopic techniques. Based on magnetic and spectroscopic data, a monomeric five-coordinate square-pyramidal structure is assigned to these complexes. The crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(NNS)I₂] has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex has a monomeric square-pyramidal structure with the ligand coordinated to the copper(II) ion via the pyridine nitrogen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thione sulfur atom. The fourth and fifth coordination sites are occupied by the iodide ligands. Antimicrobial tests indicate that Schiff base is inactive against the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (mutant defective DNA repair), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (wild type) and weakly active against the fungi, Candida albicans, Candida lypolytica, Saccharomyces cereviseae and Aspergillus ochraceous but its copper(II) complexes, Cu(NNS)X ₂ are strongly active against these organisms. A cytotoxicity study of the compounds against leukemic and cervical cancer cells showed that the Schiff base is inactive, but the complexes, [Cu(NNS)I₂] and [Cu(NNS)(NCS)₂] · 2H₂O exhibit significant activity against cervical cancer cells with CD₅₀ values of 4.8 and 4.2 g, respectively.     

Studies on the Cytology of Fertilization in the Chinese Mitten-handed Crab,Eriocheir sinensis (Crustacea, Decapoda)

The whole processes of fertilization in Eriocheir sinensis was investigated with artificial and natural insemination and artificial induction of acrosome reaction. Unlike most other arthropods, the E. sinensis egg has no micropyle. In the process of fertilization, a great number of sperms attach themselves to the egg, but only several of them penetrate the egg with one of them finally fertilizing it. Fertilization in E. sinensis is achieved not by fusion but by association.     

Semiclassical glory analyses in the time domain for the H + D2(v(i) = 0, j(i) = 0) → HD(v(f) = 3, j(f) = 0) + D reaction

We make the first application of semiclassical (SC) techniques to the plane-wavepacket formulation of time-domain (T-domain) scattering. The angular scattering of the state-to-state reaction, H + D(2)(v(i) = 0, j(i) = 0) → HD(v(f) = 3, j(f) = 0) + D, is analysed, where v and j are vibrational and rotational quantum numbers, respectively. It is proved that the forward-angle scattering in the T-domain, which arises from a delayed mechanism, is an example of a glory. The SC techniques used in the T-domain are: An integral transitional approximation, a semiclassical transitional approximation, a uniform semiclassical approximation (USA), a primitive semiclassical approximation and a classical semiclassical approximation. Nearside-farside (NF) scattering theory is also employed, both partial wave and SC, since a NF analysis provides valuable insights into oscillatory structures present in the full scattering pattern. In addition, we incorporate techniques into the SC theory called "one linear fit" and "two linear fits", which allow the derivative of the quantum deflection function, Θ?(')(J), to be estimated when Θ?J exhibits undulations as a function of J, the total angular momentum variable. The input to our SC analyses is numerical scattering (S) matrix data, calculated from accurate quantum collisional calculations for the Boothroyd-Keogh-Martin-Peterson potential energy surface No. 2, in the energy domain (E-domain), from which accurate S matrix elements in the T-domain are generated. In the E-domain, we introduce a new technique, called "T-to-E domain SC analysis." It half-Fourier transforms the E-domain accurate quantum scattering amplitude to the T-domain, where we carry out a SC analysis; this is followed by an inverse half-Fourier transform of the T-domain SC scattering amplitude back to the E-domain. We demonstrate that T-to-E USA differential cross sections (DCSs) agree well with exact quantum DCSs at forward angles, for energies where a direct USA analysis in the E-domain fails.     

Methandiide Complexes (R2CM2) of the Heavier Alkali Metals (M=Potassium,Rubidium, Cesium): Reaching the Limit?

Size does matter : Whereas geminal bimetallic bis(amidophosphorano)methandiide complexes of the heavy alkali metals K and Rb are relatively stable, that of Cs, the largest and most electropositive of the alkali metals, decomposes to form a cyclic product, which cocrystallizes with benzylcesium.

     

Iron(II) binding to amyloid-β, the Alzheimer's peptide

Iron has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, but until now no direct proof of Fe(II) binding to the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) has been reported. We used NMR to evidence Fe(II) coordination to full-length Aβ40 and truncated Aβ16 peptides at physiological pH and to show that the Fe(II) binding site is located in the first 16 amino-acid residues. Fe(II) caused selective broadening of some NMR peaks that was dependent on the Fe:Aβ stoichiometry and temperature. Analysis of Fe(II) broadening effect in the (1)H, (13)C, and 2D NMR data established that Asp1, Glu3, the three His, but not Tyr10 nor Met35 are the residues mainly involved in Fe(II) coordination.     

Vibrational analysis of the S—trans conformation of (E,E), (Z,E) and (Z,Z)-2,4-hexadienes in the gaseous and solid states

The infrared (IR) spectra of liquid, gaseous and solid states as well as the liquid and solid phases Raman ones of the pure (Z,Z)-2, 4-hexadiene are recorded for the first time between 3100–50 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the IR spectra of the gaseous and solid states and the solid Raman ones have been obtained (3100-50 cm⁻¹) for the (E,E) and (Z,E) isomers. A comparison between the present and our previous results for the liquid phase have enabled us to complete and confirm our previous assignment and to conclude that the planar s-trans conformation is prevailing in the three physical states under conditions used in this work.