Effect of Ga doping on magneto-transport properties in colossal magnetoresistive La0.7Ca0.3Mn1−xGaxO3 (0<x<0.1)

Samples of La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xGa_xO₃ with x=0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 were prepared by standard solid-state reaction. They were first characterized chemically, including the microstructure. The magnetic properties and various transport properties, i.e. the electrical resistivity, magnetoresistivity (for a field below 8 T), thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity measured each time on the same sample, are reported. The markedly different behaviour of the x=0.1 sample from those with a smaller Ga content, is discussed. The dilution of the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ interactions with Ga doping considerably reduces the ferromagnetic double exchange interaction within the manganese lattice leading to a decrease of the Curie temperature. The polaron binding energy varies from 224 to 243 meV with increased Ga doping.     

An explicit characterization of Calogero-Moser systems

Combining theorems of Halphen, Floquet, and Picard and a Frobenius type analysis, we characterize rational, meromorphic simply periodic, and elliptic KdV potentials. In particular, we explicitly describe the proper extension of the Airault-McKean-Moser locus associated with these three classes of algebro-geometric solutions of the KdV hierarchy with special emphasis on the case of multiple collisions between the poles of solutions. This solves a problem left open since the mid-1970s.

     

Detection of processed genetically modified food using CIM monolithic columns for DNA isolation

The availability of sufficient quantities of DNA of adequate quality is crucial in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for genetically modified food detection. In this work, the suitability of anion-exchange CIM (Convective Interaction Media; BIA Separations, Ljubljana, Slovenia) monolithic columns for isolation of DNA from food was studied. Maize and its derivates corn meal and thermally pretreated corn meal were chosen as model food. Two commercially available CIM disk columns were tested: DEAE (diethylaminoethyl) and QA (quaternary amine). Preliminary separations were performed with standard solution of salmon DNA at different pH values and different NaCl concentrations in mobile phase. DEAE groups and pH 8 were chosen for further isolations of DNA from a complex matrix-food extract. The quality and quantity of isolated DNA were tested on agarose gel electrophoresis, with UV-scanning spectrophotometry, and by amplification with real-time PCR. DNA isolated in this way was of suitable quality for further PCR analyses. The described method is also applicable for DNA isolation from processed foods with decreased DNA content. Furthermore, it is more effective and less time-consuming in comparison with the existing proposed methods for isolation of DNA from plant-derived foods.     

Evidence for Interchange Ligand‐Exchange Processes on Solvated Beryllium Cations

The ligand‐exchange mechanism of solvated Be²⁺ cations has been studied by means of DFT calculations (RB3LYP/6‐311+G**). Ligand exchange around [BeL₄]²⁺, where L=H₂O, NH₃, CO₂, formaldehyde (H₂CO), HCN, N₂, and CO, was found to follow an associative interchange (I_a) process in all cases. The size of the activation barrier is almost independent of the type of donor atom, and depends mainly on the hybridization undergone by the donor atom. This, in turn, suggests that steric effects play a major role in solvent‐ and ligand‐exchange reactions in Be²⁺ systems.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the Co(II)-assisted oxidation of thioureas by dioxygen

Catalytic oxidation of N,N'-dimethylthiourea and thiourea by dioxygen in water using a new cobalt(II) complex of octasulfophenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazine was performed under mild conditions. The reaction is shown to include the formation of an intermediate anionic five-coordinate complex followed by an unusual two-electron oxidation to produce the corresponding urea and elemental sulfur (S8). Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different reaction steps of the process were determined. Drastic differences in catalytic activity of cobalt and iron octasulfophenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazines were observed.     

Characterization of methacrylate monoliths for purification of DNA molecules

The suitability of methacrylate based anion exchange monolithic supports for the separation and purification of plasmid and genomic DNA has been explored. The effect of the size of the channels, ionic strength of the solution, and ligand density on the dynamic binding capacity has been investigated. The dynamic binding capacity was found to be flow independent, at least up to a linear velocity of 700 cm h(-1), and exceeded 9 mg mL(-1) for all types of DNA. The recovery depends on the pH value of the mobile phase and its ionic strength as well as on the density of the active groups. Under optimal conditions recoveries exceeding 80% were obtained even for genomic DNA. Finally, the suitability of this approach is demonstrated by purification of a real-life sample.