Increasing d-wave superconductivity by on-site repulsion

We study, through the variational Monte Carlo technique, an extended Hubbard model away from half filled band density which contains two competing nearest-neighbor interactions: a superexchange J favoring d-wave superconductivity and a repulsion V opposing it. We find that the on-site repulsion U effectively enhances the strength of J while suppressing that of V, thus favoring superconductivity. This result shows that attractions which do not involve charge fluctuations are very well equipped against strong electron-electron repulsion so much to get advantage from it.     

Low-temperature IR and NMR studies of the interaction of group 8 metal dihydrides with alcohols

The reactions of the octahedral dihydrido complexes [MH(2)(PP(3))] [M=Fe, Ru, Os; PP(3)=P(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(3)] with a variety of weak ROH acids have been studied by IR and NMR methods in either CH(2)Cl(2) or THF in the temperature range from 190 to 290 K. This study has allowed the determination of the spectral and thermodynamic properties associated with the formation of dihydrogen bonds (DHB) between the terminal hydrides and the OH group. Both the DHB enthalpy values and the hydride basicity factors (E(j)) have been found to increase in the order Fe < Ru < Os. The proton transfer process, leading to the DHB complexes, and eventually to eta(2)-H(2) products, has been found to depend on the acidic strength of the alcohol as well as the nature of the solvent. Low temperature IR and NMR techniques have been used to trace the complete energy profile of the proton transfer process involving the osmium complex [OsH(2)(PP(3))] with trifluoroethanol.     

Thermogravimetric and kinetic methods to date wood finds. First results

Fresh (larch and fir, in its white and red varieties) and ancient wood samples (dating respectively to the 13th, 15th and 17th centuries) were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TG and DTG). The resulting thermogravimetric data were then used to construct archeometric curves for the wood varieties tested. In a preliminary approach, it was attempted to correlate the onset temperature of the thermogravimetric step corresponding to cellulose decomposition with the age (expressed in centuries) of the samples, although the results obtained were anything but brilliant. More encouraging results were obtained by examining the relationship between wood sample age and the value of the (percent cellulose/percent lignin) ratio computed from the thermogravimetric data. Lastly, a procedure for processing data obtained from the TG curves was applied to a kinetic analysis of the processes that take place when wood samples are subjected to a temperature regime with a constant heating rate, obtaining values for the activation energy of the TG step corresponding to the decomposition of cellulose. Also using these data it was attempted to construct archeometric curves, obtaining results that varied quite significantly according to the wood species tested.     

Some remarks on the universal cover of an open K3 surface

 We shall give, in an optimal form, a sufficient numerical condition for the finiteness of the fundamental group of the smooth locus of a normal K3 surface. We shall moreover prove that, if the normal K3 surface is elliptic and the above fundamental group is not finite, then there is a finite covering which is a complex torus. Received: 13 April 2001 / Published online: 16 October 2002 RID="⋆" ID="⋆" Supported by Korea Research Foundation Grant(KRF-2001-041-D00025) Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 14J28     

Simultaneous analysis of multiple PCR amplicons enhances capillary SSCP discrimination of MHC alleles

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotyping still remains one of the most challenging issues for evolutionary ecologists. To date, none of the proposed methods have proven to be perfect, and all provide both important pros and cons. Although denaturing capillary electrophoresis has become a popular alternative, allele identification commonly relies upon conformational polymorphisms of two single‐stranded DNA molecules at the most. Using the MHC class II (β chain, exon 2) of the black kite (Aves: Accipitridae) as our model system, we show that the simultaneous analysis of overlapping PCR amplicons from the same target region substantially enhances allele discrimination. To cover this aim, we designed a multiplex PCR capable to generate four differentially sized and labeled amplicons from the same allele. Informative peaks to assist allele calling then fourfold those generated by the analysis of single PCR amplicons. Our approach proved successful to differentiate all the alleles (N=13) isolated from eight unrelated birds at a single optimal run temperature and electrophoretic conditions. In particular, we emphasize that this approach may constitute a straightforward and cost‐effective alternative for the genotyping of single or duplicated MHC genes displaying low to moderate sets of divergent alleles.     

Experimental Design in Ion Chromatography: Effect of the Organic Modifier and Complexing Agent on the Retention of Alkaline and Alkaline Earth Ions

A Box–Behnken experimental design combined with response surface methodology was applied to investigate the effect of the eluent composition on the retention of common cations in ion chromatography. In particular, we modelled the retention factors of Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ and the chromatogram resolution. Response surfaces were evaluated to assess interactive effects of nitric acid, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and percentage of acetonitrile in the eluent on the above parameters. Nitric acid concentration and acetonitrile content appeared as the most and the least influential components of the eluent in determining the retention factors of individual ions or the global resolution of the chromatogram, while the concentration of the complexing agent exhibits an intermediate role. As expected, acidification of the mobile phase produces a decrease in the retention factors and a progressive worsening of resolution, and this effect can be modulated by the concentration of the complexing agent. The proposed approach seems suitable to investigate the retention phenomena in ion chromatography under application of complex eluent phases.     

On the goethite to hematite phase transformation

This study deals with some microstructural and crystallographic aspects of the thermally induced transformation of goethite (α-FeOOH) into hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), occurring at about 300 °C. Powder specimens of goethite have been annealed in air at different temperatures, ranging from 200 °C up to 1,000 °C. The resulting products have been analyzed for a complete characterization of the changes brought about by the thermal treatments, using a multianalytical approach, based on: thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. At lower temperatures, the transition to hematite produces no important changes in size and shape of the original goethite grains. Recrystallization, and partial sintering, occurs only at temperatures in excess of 800 °C. The relevant evolution of pores present in both phases has been also considered, as it may provide important indications on the actual formation mechanism of hematite.