Evidence for charge orbital and spin stripe order in an overdoped manganite

Overdoped La0.42Sr1.58MnO4 exhibits a complex ordering of charges, orbitals, and spins. Neutron diffraction experiments reveal three incommensurate and one commensurate order parameters to be tightly coupled. The position and the shape of the distinct superstructure scattering as well as higher-order signals are inconsistent with a harmonic charge and spin-density-wave picture but point to a stripe arrangement in which ferromagnetic zigzag chains are disrupted by excess Mn(4+).     

Water-absorption properties of an acetal copolymer

The kinetics of sorption from the liquid phase to equilibrium and desorption were studied over the temperature range 0–80°C. Equilibrium uptake was found to increase linearly with concentration in this range. Sorption-desorption kinetics showed the diffusion coefficients to decrease with increasing concentration, although the extent of this dependence did not appear in itself to be temperature-dependent. The apparent diffusion coefficient obeyed the law D = D₀ exp {? E/RT} over the temperature range studied, giving E = 9.9 kcal./mole and D₀ = 0.45 cm.² sec.^?1. These values are compared with corresponding values for other polymers.     

Analysis of 'ARN' naphthenic acids by high temperature gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography

Examination by high temperature GC (HTGC) of the methyl esters of the so-called 'ARN' naphthenic acids from crude oils of North Sea UK, Norwegian Sea and West African oilfields revealed the distributions of resolved 4-8 ring C80 tetra acids and trace amounts of other acids. Whilst all three oils contained apparently the same major acids, the proportions of each differed, possibly reflecting the growth temperatures of the archaebacteria from which the acids are assumed to have originated. The structures of the 4, 5, 7 and 8 ring acids are tentatively assigned by comparison with the known 6 ring acid and related natural products and an HPLC method for the isolation of the individual acids is described. ESI-MS of individual acids isolated by preparative HPLC established the elution order of the 4-8 ring acids on the HPLC and HTGC systems and revealed the presence of previously unreported acids tentatively identified as C81 and C82 7 and 8 ring analogues.     

Cladding mode reorganization in high-refractive-index-coated long-period gratings: effects on the refractive-index sensitivity

We theoretically and experimentally investigated the reorganization of cladding modes in high-refractive-index- (HRI-) coated long-period gratings (LPGs), focusing on the influence of refractive-index sensitivity. When azimuthally symmetric nanoscale HRI coatings are deposited along LPG devices, a significant modification of the distribution of cladding modes occurs, depending on the layers' features (refractive index and thickness) and on the external refractive index. In particular, if these parameters are properly chosen, a transition between cladding modes and overlay modes occurs. Numerical and experimental effects of the mode transition on the sensitivity of the surrounding refractive index are described.     

The first ruthenium-alkyne-dihydride reported is now recognized as an intermediate in the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene: Crystal structure of (μ-H)2Ru3(CO)9(μ3-η2-∥-C2Ph2)

The title complex (complex1) was the first alkyne-substituted triruthenium dihydrido cluster to be reported and was characterized by spectroscopy as a triangular cluster with the alkyne parallel to a Ru-Ru edge. Recently, we have found that1 is a key intermediate in the homogeneous hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene catalyzed by tetrahedral Ru₄ and FeRu₃ clusters. Since the discovery of1, a great number of complexes with alkynes parallel to a cluster edge have been reported; at present this is the more common bonding mode for alkynes on trinuclear clusters. The structural features of1 allow a comparison with those of other ruthenium-containing derivatives and help to draw suggestions of the role of1 in hydrogenation catalysis.     

A step forward in metal nitride and carbide synthesis: from pure nanopowders to nanocomposites

Transition metal nitrides and carbides (MN/MC) are intriguing materials due to their combination of properties that place them between high-performance ceramics and pure metals. Recent progress in easier synthetic routes toward their production as bulk or nanostructured materials explains the current surge in sustained attention such progress has been receiving. After progressing toward easier syntheses of MN/MC nanosystems as pure phases, coupling MN/MC with a second phase for the production of hybrids and nanocomposites is considered a next important step in the development of these nanosystems. The coupled phase can simply be a different nitride or carbide; it also can be a polymer, a poly(ionic liquid) or a carbon phase, just to give a few examples. The combination of these phases with MN/MC nanoparticles could lead to multifunctional materials. The aim of the present review is to show how far the research concerning the production of MN/MC-based nanocomposites has progressed, especially in terms of controlled composition, morphology and properties. We discuss the most intensely investigated systems and related motivations, as well as partially unexplored yet appealing alternative materials.     

Effect of Extraction Methods and In Vitro Bio-Accessibility of Microencapsulated Lemon Extract

The extraction of bioactive compounds from fruits, such as lemon, has gained relevance because these compounds have beneficial properties for health, such as antioxidant and anticancer properties; however, the extraction method can significantly affect these properties. High hydrostatic pressure and ultrasound, as emerging extraction methods, constitute an alternative to conventional extraction, improving extractability and obtaining extracts rich in bioactive compounds. Therefore, lemon extracts (LEs) were obtained by conventional (orbital shaking), ultrasound-assisted, and high-hydrostatic-pressure extraction. Extracts were then microencapsulated with maltodextrin at 10% (M10), 20% (M20), and 30% (M30). The impact of microencapsulation on LEs physicochemical properties, phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and relative bio-accessibility (RB) was evaluated. M30 promoted a higher microencapsulation efficiency for TPC and TFC, and a longer time required for microcapsules to dissolve in water, as moisture content, water activity and hygroscopicity decreased. The RBs of TPC and TFC were higher in microcapsules with M30, and lower when conventional extraction was used. The data suggest that microencapsulated LE is promising as it protects the bioactivity of phenolic compounds. In addition, this freeze-dried product can be utilized as a functional ingredient for food or supplement formulations.     

Application of ZrC-coated tubes to the determination of aluminum in serum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

An improved method for the determination of aluminum in serum by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace is presented. The method is suitable for the analysis of serum samples having normal and elevated aluminum content. The serum sample can be analyzed diluted or undiluted because the selected temperatures program minimizes the matrix interferences. High temperatures are made possible by the use of graphite Zr-coated tubes. The detection limit is 0.7 μg Al/liter. The coefficient of variation is 3.2% for serum concentration of 5 μg Al/liter and 1% for serum concentration of 50 μg Al/liter.