Transition metal coordination compounds of a chelating imidazole-thioether ligand. The X-ray crystal structure of (1,6-bis(4(5)-imidazolyl)-2,5-dithiahexane)bis(nitrato)copper(II)

Transition metal coordination compounds with the novel N₂S₂-donor ligand 1,6-bis(4(5)-imidazolyl)-2,5-dithiahexane (abbreviated bhdhx) with general formulae M(bhdhx)(NO₃)₂(M = Co, Ni, Cu) and M(bhdhx)(H₂O)₂(BF₄)₂ (M = Cu, Zn) have been isolated. In all compounds the ligand is tetradentate with both thioether sulphurs and imidazole nitrogens coordinating. In all compounds the metal ions are six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry with either nitrates or water molecules as the fifth and sixth ligands. This is confirmed by the ligand field spectra, which agree with a distorted octahedral coordination. The distortion from octahedral, indicated by the ligand field spectrum of the cobalt nitrate compound is such that the S atoms of the ligands must be at a very large distance from the metal ion. A single crystal of Cu(bhdhx)(NO₃)₂ was used in a structure determination: orthorhombic space group Pbcn, a = 14.351(5), b = 8.554(3), c = 13.057(4) Å, Z = 4, and T = 293 K. The structure was solved by heavy atom techniques and refined by least-squares methods to a residual R value of 0.033 for 847 significant reflections. The copper ion is at a special position on a two-fold axis, which causes a two-fold symmetry in the ligand. The coordination geometry of the copper atom is distorted octahedral with the two nitrates and the two thioether sulphurs in a cis position, and the imidazole nitrogens trans. The copper to nitrogen distances are 1.933(4) Å, the copper to sulphur distances are 2.495(1) Å, and the copper to oxygen distances are 2.280(3) Å.     

Infinite symmetry algebras of extended supergravity theories

When extended supergravity theories with noncompact symmetry groups are written in a physical gauge, the noncompact symmetries join with the supersymmetries to generate an infinite-dimensional algebra. The details are worked out explicitly for a two-dimensional theory with an SU(1, 1) internal symmetry. Our analysis confirms the observation of Ellis et al. that the infinite rigid superalgebra should be obtained from the finite-dimensional local superalgebra by replacing scalar fields with their asymptotic values at infinity. The infinite algebra is described by extending the super-Poincaré generators to functions on the coset space defined by the scalar fields at infinity. While mathematically nontrivial, this result is, in a certain sense, trivial from a physical point of view.     

Cognitive level in problem segments and theory segments

Problems play an important role in mathematics instruction and are therefore frequently seen as central points of application for measures of instructional development. The research project “Quality of instruction and mathematical understanding in different cultures” examines the cognitive level of practice problems and theory problems in a three-lesson unit on the Introduction to Pythagorean theorem¹: Analogously to the TIMSS 1999 video study, a differentiation was made between the cognitive level of problem statement and the cognitive level of problem implementation. Additionally, the lesson time was also divided into practice and theory segments. The results show that teachers with a high proportion of connection activities in practice segments do not necessarily also spend a greater proportion of time on an analogous level for theory.     

Bioterrorism: impact on external quality assessment service delivery

Safety issues related to the design, production and distribution of simulated specimens for microbiology external quality assessment (EQA) have occupied scheme organisers for many years. Since the anthrax attacks in Washington, USA in October 2001, there has been heightened awareness in the public domain regarding the transport of infectious substances. For instance, in direct response to the anthrax incident in the US, microbiology institutes in the UK that handle dangerous pathogens (like the Health Protection Agency) are registered with the national police force and are inspected regularly to ensure compliance with current legislation covering the control of these pathogens. The fear of a complete ban on the movement of infectious substances following the anthrax incident has not yet been realised, but remains a serious risk. Many countries such as the UK, USA, and Australia have introduced measures for the control, transportation, and health and safety aspects of handling and distribution of infectious materials. The national postal services of many countries do not accept infectious materials by mail. There are a limited number of courier services willing to transport dangerous goods, especially division 6.2 (infectious substances) and these services are costly. Measures can be implemented by scheme organisers to ensure best practice; for instance, by having sufficient and trained staff, with knowledge, expertise and use of computerised systems in the shipping/export department. Ensuring compliance with national and international health and safety legislation by providing safety data sheets and by carrying out product risk assessments is required to ensure transparency and to demonstrate duty of care. Organisers of microbiology EQA face uncertainty about the future survival of schemes in the current climate. It is imperative that practices and procedures are put into place that meet with the legislation and enable us to continue to support quality in laboratory medicine.

     

Non-destructive evaluation of the mechanical behaviour of TiN-coated steels by laser-induced ultrasonic surface waves

Measuring the propagation velocity of ultrasonic surface waves has been used to determine the Young's modulus of TiN films on steel. Wide-band surface-wave pulses are generated by a pulsed nitrogen laser and detected by a piezoelectric PVDF-foil transducer. A spectrum of the surface-wave phase velocity is obtained from the Fourier transformation of the surface-wave signals. The TiN films were deposited after different presputtering times with argon ions to vary the adhesion on the steel substrate. The adhesion behaviour of the films was investigated with the scratch tester. A correlation was found between the Young's modulus of the film material and the acoustic emission activity in the scratch test, which has been shown to be a suitable measure for adhesion.     

Evidence for nonperturbative string symmetries

String theory appears to admit a group of discrete field transformations — calledS dualities — as exact nonperturbative quantum symmetries. Mathematically, they are rather analogous to the better-knownT duality symmetries, which hold perturbatively. In this Letter the evidence forS duality is reviewed and some speculations are presented.