Halton-type sequences from global function fields

For any prime power q and any dimension s≥1, a new construction of (t, s)-sequences in base q using global function fields is presented. The construction yields an analog of Halton sequences for global function fields. It is the first general construction of (t, s)-sequences that is not directly based on the digital method. The construction can also be put into the framework of the theory of (u, e, s)-sequences that was recently introduced by Tezuka and leads in this way to better discrepancy bounds for the constructed sequences.     

Weibel-induced filamentation during an ultrafast laser-driven plasma expansion

The development of current instabilities behind the front of a cylindrically expanding plasma has been investigated experimentally via proton probing techniques. A multitude of tubelike filamentary structures is observed to form behind the front of a plasma created by irradiating solid-density wire targets with a high-intensity (I ~ 10(19) W/cm(2)), picosecond-duration laser pulse. These filaments exhibit a remarkable degree of stability, persisting for several tens of picoseconds, and appear to be magnetized over a filament length corresponding to several filament radii. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that their formation can be attributed to a Weibel instability driven by a thermal anisotropy of the electron population. We suggest that these results may have implications in astrophysical scenarios, particularly concerning the problem of the generation of strong, spatially extended and sustained magnetic fields in astrophysical jets.     

Understanding the Mechanocatalytic Conversion of Biomass: A Low‐Energy One‐Step Reaction Mechanism by Applying Mechanical Force

On the way to establishing biomass as a renewable and environmentally friendly source to cover the ever‐increasing global demand on energy and chemicals, one great challenge is the efficient depolymerization of cellulose. Enhanced conversion rates have been discovered in ball‐milling experiments, thus opening a mechanocatalytic approach. However, an understanding of the impact of mechanical forces on the acid‐catalyzed cleavage of glycosidic bonds at the molecular level is still missing. Herein, we contribute such fundamental insight based on atomistic modeling. Mechanically stressing the macromolecular backbone radically changes the depolymerization pathway from a complex high‐barrier reaction upon thermal activation to a low‐energy single‐step mechanocatalytic process. In addition to revealing a regioselective increase in basicity under a mechanical force, our results provide molecular‐level explanations of the experimental findings and might therefore guide rational ways to improve such mechanocatalytic processes.     

On the structural and magnetoelectrical characterization of epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates

High-quality epitaxial thin films of the ferromagnetic metallic oxide SrRuO₃ (SRO) were fabricated by dc-sputtering at high oxygen pressure and their structural and magnetoelectrical properties were carefully studied. The films featured a Curie temperature T_C ～ 160 K and a magnetic moment of ～0.7 μ_B per Ru ion. The temperature dependent magnetization could be well described by the scaling relation M(T) ∝ (T_C ? T)^β with a critical exponent β = 0.53 over the entire ferromagnetic temperature range. A negative magnetoresistance, MR, on the order of a few percent was found up to room temperature. MR showed a maximum of ～4% right at T_C where a kink structure of the resistivity, ρ, at zero field was flattened out on magnetic field application. This ρ contribution could be related to scattering due to orientational disorder of the Ru magnetic moments which become aligned by an external magnetic field. In addition, an equally strong MR effect, related to localization phenomena, could be observed at lower temperature. Particularly, the second MR peak at ～35 K might be related to a Fermi-liquid to non-Fermi-liquid crossover. A scaling behavior dρ/dT ∝ |T ? T_C|^α was observed only above T_C. Here, values for the exponent α ≈ ?0.4 and α ≈ ?1.4 were obtained in zero field and in a field of 9 T, respectively. The commonly observed ρ minimum, appearing at low temperatures (～3 K in the present case), is correlated with the structural disorder of the SRO films and is believed to have its origin in quantum corrections to the conductivity (QCC).     

Synthesis and Structure of Monomeric,Trimeric, and Mixed Phenylcyanamides

In a new synthetic approach phenylcyanamide (Hpca) was synthesized by methylation of phenylthiourea followed by a basic work‐up. All products along the synthetic route have been fully characterized by means of NMR, IR, and X‐ray studies. The first structural report of neutral mixed crystals of phenylcyanamide containing monomeric and trimeric Hpca is presented. Examination of these intriguing mixed crystals revealed the formation of distinct layers of monomeric and trimeric Hpca. These layers are interconnected by weak hydrogen bonds. The trimer represents triphenylisomelamine, which readily isomerizes to the triphenylmelamine in the melt, in accord with computations at the B3LYP level, indicating an exothermic process (ΔH=?49.4 kcal mol^?1). Pure trimeric Hpca (triphenylisomelamine) was obtained either by recrystallization of the mixed crystals from boiling water or by trimerization of monomeric Hpca in isopropanol for 12 h under reflux conditions. For comparison tritylcyanamide (Htca) and potassium phenylcyanamide as an [18]crown‐6 complex [K([18]crown‐6)pca] have been synthesized, and the solid‐state structures were determined using X‐ray diffraction techniques. The thermal behavior was studied by thermo‐analytical experiments. In agreement with the experimental results, computations predict an exothermic cyclotrimerization process for Hpca (ΔH=?41.3 kcal mol^?1).     

Dielectric properties of glycerol/water mixtures at temperatures between 10 and 50 degrees C

At six temperatures T between 10 and 50 degrees C and at mole fractions x(g) of glycerol (0相似文献   

The role of melanin as protector against free radicals in skin and its role as free radical indicator in hair

Throughout the body, melanin is a homogenous biological polymer containing a population of intrinsic, semiquinone-like radicals. Additional extrinsic free radicals are reversibly photo-generated by UV and visible light. Melanin photochemistry, particularly the formation and decay of extrinsic radicals, has been the subject of numerous electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy studies. Several melanin monomers exist, and the predominant monomer in a melanin polymer depends on its location within an organism. In skin and hair, melanin differs in content of eumelanin or pheomelanin. Its bioradical character and its susceptibility to UV irradiation makes melanin an excellent indicator for UV-related processes in both skin and hair. The existence of melanin in skin is strongly correlated with the prevention against free radicals/ROS generated by UV radiation. Especially in the skin melanin (mainly eumelanin) ensures the only natural UV protection by eliminating the generated free radicals/ROS. Melanin in hair can be used as a free radical detector for evaluating the efficacy of hair care products. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of melanin as protector of skin against UV generated free radicals and as free radical indicator in hair.     

Highly selective micro-sequential injection lab-on-valve (μSI-LOV) method for the determination of ultra-trace concentrations of nickel in saline matrices using detection by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A highly selective procedure is proposed for the determination of ultra-trace level concentrations of nickel in saline aqueous matrices exploiting a micro-sequential injection Lab-On-Valve (μSI-LOV) sample pretreatment protocol comprising bead injection separation/pre-concentration and detection by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Based on the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) reaction used for nickel analysis, the sample, as contained in a pH 9.0 buffer, is, after on-line merging with the chelating reagent, transported to a reaction coil attached to one of the external ports of the LOV to assure sufficient reaction time for the formation of Ni(DMG)₂ chelate. The non-ionic coordination compound is then collected in a renewable micro-column packed with a reversed-phase copolymeric sorbent [namely, poly(divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone)] containing a balanced ratio of hydrophilic and lipophilic monomers. Following elution by a 50-μL methanol plug in an air-segmented modality, the nickel is finally quantified by ETAAS. Under the optimized conditions and for a sample volume of 1.8 mL, a retention efficiency of 70 % and an enrichment factor of 25 were obtained. The proposed methodology showed a high tolerance to the commonly encountered alkaline earth matrix elements in environmental waters, that is, calcium and magnesium, and was successfully applied for the determination of nickel in an NIST standard reference material (NIST 1640-Trace elements in natural water), household tap water of high hardness and local seawater. Satisfying recoveries were achieved for all spiked environmental water samples with maximum deviations of 6 %. The experimental results for the standard reference material were not statistically different to the certified value at a significance level of 0.05.     

Carbon incorporation in Pd(111) by adsorption and dehydrogenation of ethene

The decomposition of ethene on the Pd(111) surface was studied at effective pressures in the 10(-8) to 10(-7) mbar range and at sample temperatures between 300 and 700 K, using an effusive capillary array beam doser for directional adsorption, LEED, AES, temperature programmed reaction, and TDS. In the temperature range of 350-440 K increasingly stronger dehydrogenation of the ethene molecule is observed. Whereas at 350 K an ethylidyne adlayer is still present after adsorption, already at temperatures around 440 K complete coverage of the surface by carbon is attained, while the bulk still retains the properties of pure Pd. Beyond 440 K a steady-state surface C coverage is established, which decreases with temperature and is determined by detailed balancing between the ethene gas-phase adsorption rate and the migration rate of carbon into the Pd bulk. This process gives rise to the formation of a "partially carbon-covered Pd(x)C(y) surface". Above 540 K the surface-bulk diffusion of adsorbed carbon becomes fast, and in the UHV experiment the ethene adsorption rate becomes limited by the ethene gas-phase supply. The carbon bulk migration rate and the steady-state carbon surface coverage were determined as a function of the sample temperature and the ethene flux. An activation energy of 107 kJ mol(-1) for the process of C diffusion from surface adsorption sites into the subsurface region was derived in the temperature range of 400-650 K by modeling the C surface coverage as a function of temperature on the basis of steady-state reaction kinetics, assuming a first-order process for C surface-subsurface diffusion and a second-order process for C(ads) formation by dissociative C2H4 adsorption.     

Synthesis and optical properties of (a)chiral terpyridine-ruthenium complexes

Chiral terpyridine ligands have been synthesized and characterized. By applying Ru(III)/Ru(II) chemistry, symmetrical as well as asymmetrical bis-terpyridine ruthenium(II) complexes were obtained. These materials were fully characterized and their optical properties investigated. While the chiral metal complexes revealed no Cotton effect in good solvents such as chloroform, CD-measurements in dodecane showed an effect in both ligand and MLCT regions, suggesting chirality transfer from the lateral alkyl chains to the complex core. This behavior points to the formation of supramolecular aggregates in dodecane. Furthermore, the analogous achiral ligand and its corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes were prepared.