Nature of the well screened state in hard X-ray Mn 2p core-level photoemission measurements of La1-xSrxMnO3 films

Using hard x-ray (HX; hnu=5.95 keV) synchrotron photoemission spectroscopy (PES), we study the intrinsic electronic structure of La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO(3) (LSMO) thin films. Comparison of Mn 2p core-levels with soft x-ray (SX; hnu approximately 1000 eV) PES shows a clear additional well-screened feature only in HX PES. Takeoff-angle dependent data indicate its bulk (> or =20 A) character. The doping and temperature dependence track the ferromagnetism and metallicity of the LSMO series. Cluster model calculations including charge transfer from doping-induced states show good agreement, confirming this picture of bulk properties reflected in Mn 2p core-levels using HX PES.     

Skeletal reorganization of enynes into 1-vinylcycloalkenes in ionic liquids

The skeletal reorganization of enynes catalyzed by transition metal chlorides, such as PtCl(2), [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2), [RhCl(CO)(2)](2), and AuCl(3), in ionic liquids proceeds under milder conditions (at lower reaction temperatures and for shorter reaction times) than those needed for ordinary solvents. The products produced by the skeletal reorganization of enynes were easily removed from the catalyst by a simple extraction with Et(2)O or distillation. The PtCl(2) can be reused up to five times.     

Novel spirocyclic trichothecanes, spirotenuipesine A and B, isolated from entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes

Entomopathogenic fungi forming fruiting bodies have been employed as tonics and antitussives from ancient times. Paecilomyces tenuipes, which is also called Isaria japonica, is a very popular entomopathogenic fungus and is often considered a health food in northeast Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. We cultivated the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces tenuipes. Among the large-scale cultivations, fruiting body grown in barley grain contained two novel spirocyclic trichothecane derivatives, spirotenuipesine A (1) and B (2), and known trichothecane mycotoxins. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent activity in neurotrophic factor biosynthesis in glial cells. The isolation of these compounds indicated that P. tenuipes is a promising source for producing various biologically active substances including trichothecanes. It is noteworthy that trichothecane mycotoxins are present in Paecilomyces tenuipes, which is typically used in medicinal health food.     

Microwave EPR spectroscopy of cobalt-doped germanium cuprate

Resonance magnetoabsorption spectra of CuGeO₃ single crystals containing 2% Co impurity have been studied in the frequency range 60–360 GHz in magnetic fields of up to 16 T and in the temperature interval 2–60 K with the magnetic field B aligned parallel to the a crystallographic axis. In addition to the Cu²⁺ chain resonance, a new absorption line (unobserved previously in doped CuGeO₃ and deriving apparently from the Co²⁺ ions) was detected in EPR spectra. Quantitative analysis of the spectra suggests that the spin-Peierls transition occurs in about 10% Cu²⁺ chains, while the spin-Peierls state in the remaining 90% chains is completely destroyed by cobalt doping. The results obtained reveal considerable deviations from the universally accepted scenario of CuGeO₃ doping and are discussed within alternative theoretical models, namely, the quantum critical behavior (based on the EPR theory for quasi-one-dimensional systems) and a three-dimensional antiferromagnet with the Néel temperature lowered by disorder.     

Age-dependent plasticity in the superior temporal sulcus in deaf humans: a functional MRI study

Background  

Sign-language comprehension activates the auditory cortex in deaf subjects. It is not known whether this functional plasticity in the temporal cortex is age dependent. We conducted functional magnetic-resonance imaging in six deaf signers who lost their hearing before the age of 2 years, five deaf signers who were >5 years of age at the time of hearing loss and six signers with normal hearing. The task was sentence comprehension in Japanese sign language.     

A direct electrochemical route to construct a polymer/manganese oxide layered structure

A layered nanocomposite with poly(diallyldimethylammonium), PDDA, intercalated between manganese oxide layers can be formed on a platinum electrode in a thin film form through a direct electrochemical route. The process involves a potentiostatic oxidation of aqueous Mn(2+) precursors in the presence of PDDA by applying a constant potential (+1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl).     

Phonon dispersion curves of a BC3 honeycomb epitaxial sheet

The entire phonon-dispersion curves along the Gamma-M direction of a BC3 honeycomb sheet have been determined both experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Most of the observed curves agreed with the theoretical ones calculated on the basis of ab initio theory. From the stretching force constants of the nearest-neighbor C-C and B-C bonds, together with that of the B-B bond, we clarified the characteristic feature of the C-C and B-C bonds. From the experimental and theoretical results, we discussed the possibility of high T(c).     

The first samarium(II)-mediated aryl radical cyclisation onto an aromatic ring

Intramolecular arylation of aryl radicals was mediated by SmI(2)/HMPA in the presence of i-PrOH to give spirocycles and/or reduced cine-cyclised products, while the reaction in the absence of i-PrOH gave the rearomatised fused rings.     

Helical gold nanotube synthesized at 150 K

Gold nanowires were synthesized at 150 K by electron beam thinning of a gold thin foil in an UHV electron microscope. The gold nanowires were found to have a helical multishell structure (HMS). One particular nanowire, which was thinner than the 7-1 HMS nanowire, was found to have a tubular structure. The gold single wall nanotube is composed of five atomic rows that coil about the tube axis. The diameter was 0.4 nm and the pitch was 11 nm. The stability of the (5,3) nanotube was discussed in terms of the shear deformation of the triangular network of gold atoms.