Effective Ru moment in RuSr2Eu2−xCexCu2O10 from high-temperature magnetic susceptibility

We have made high-temperature (250 K<T<800 K) DC susceptibility measurements in the compounds RuSr₂Eu_2−xCe_xCu₂O₁₀ for x=0.6,0.8, and 1.0 in order to determine the Ru effective magnetic moment. After carefully subtracting all contributions to the magnetic susceptibility except that of the Ru ions, we have been able to fit the Ru susceptibility with a law χ_Ru=χ₀+C_Ru/(T−Θ_Ru). We have found that the Ru effective moment falls between the values expected for Ru⁵⁺ in spin states and . We have also found a dependence of μ_eff(Ru) and Θ_Ru with the Ce content x.     

Probing buried interfaces with non-linear optical spectroscopy

The importance of buried interfaces in our everyday lives and in current scientific research is highlighted, along with experimental difficulty associated with studying such systems. We present an overview of the application of second harmonic generation and sum-frequency spectroscopy to the study of buried interfaces. Several examples from the current literature are presented, ranging from chemical and biological, to electrical and magnetic interfaces. The importance of this work in the context of ongoing research in these areas is discussed. Finally, we provide a snapshot of the state of the art in non-linear optical spectroscopy by mentioning several new directions that are likely to have a large impact on future research into the physics and chemistry of buried interfaces.     

NMR Studies of Drugs. Applications of Achiral and Chiral Lanthanide Shift Reagents to the Analgesic,Famprofazone: “Anomalous Shifts”

The 200 MHz ¹H NMR spectra of the analgesic, famprofazone, 1, have been studied in CDCl₃ solution at ambient temperatures with the achiral lanthanide shift reagent (LSR) tris (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8-heptaf luoro-2, 2-dimethyl-3, 5-octanedionato) europium (III), Eu(FOD)₃, 2, for spectral simplification, and with the chiral LSR, tris [3-(heptafluoropropylhydroxymethylene) - (+) camphorato] europium (III), Eu (HFC)₃, 3. Lanthanide induced shift (LIS) magnitudes suggested predominant LSR binding at the carbonyl oxygen. Substantial enantiomeric shift differences were observed for several nuclei of 1 with added 3 which could permit direct determinations of enantiomeric excess.     

Mathematics Assessment: Practices and Reporting Methods

The curriculum, teaching, and assessment Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics advocate the use of various assessment techniques in mathematics, K-12. Practitioners from 35 school districts in two regions of a midwestern state completed a questionnaire and reported information about their assessment practices, reporting methods, and other issues that affect change in mathematics. The results of the survey suggest that current reporting practices are limiting the use of alternative classroom assessment practices. Delays in the use of alternative mathematics assessment practice can probably be expected until the reporting systems used in school districts become consistent with the assessment systems and teachers participate in ongoing professional development programs to learn more about alternative assessment practices.