Cu NMR/NQR Studies on Magnetism in Impurity/Hole-Doped Spin-Ladder Compounds

Cu nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of impurities (Zn, Ni, and La)-doped spin-1/2 Heisenberg ladder compounds SrCu₂O₃ (Sr123) are broadened with Curie-like temperature (T) dependence. The spectra have been successfully fit by using a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) staggered polarization (SP) model. Such a SP has also revealed in Cu NMR measurements of Sr_14–x Ca _x Cu₂₄O₄₁ (Cax) with hole-doped ladders. The origin of possible 3D antiferromagnetic (AF) long-range ordering in (Zn and Ni)-doped Sr123 and Cax around x=12 at low T is considered to be similar. Once unpaired spins S ₀'s are induced and 3D interlayer interaction occurs, the localized spins couple in the whole system.     

Bioactive Properties of Chitin/Chitosan—Calcium Phosphate Composite Materials

Calcium phosphate coating over phosphorylated derivatives of chitin/chitosan material was produced by a process based on phosphorylation, Ca(OH)₂ treatment and SBF (simulated body fluid solution) immersion. Chitin/chitosan phosphorylated using urea and H₃PO₄ and then soaked in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution at ambient temperature, which lead to the formation of thin coatings formed by partial hydrolysis of the PO₄ functionalities, were found to stimulate the growth of a calcium phosphate coating on their surfaces after soaking in 1.5 × SBF solution for as little as one day. The Ca(OH)₂ treatment facilitates the formation of a calcium phosphate precursor over the phosphorylated chitin/chitosan, which in turn encourages the growth of a calcium deficient apatite coating over the surface upon immersion in SBF solution. The bio-compatibility of calcium phosphate compound—chitin/chitosan composite materials was evaluated by cell culture test using L-929 cells. The initial anchoring ratio and the adhesive strength of L-929 cells for composites was higher than that for the polystyrene disk (LUX, control). The results of in-vitro evaluation suggested that the calcium phosphate—chitin/chitosan composite materials were suitable for cell carrier materials.     

Association Model and Its Representation of Phase Equilibria and Excess Enthalpies of Alcohol, Aniline, and Acetonitrile Mixtures

An association model is presented to describe vapor–liquid equilibria,liquid–liquid equilibria, and excess enthalpies of binary and ternary liquid solutionscontaining alcohols, aniline, and/or acetonitrile using the concepts of linearself-association of associated components and of solvation between unlike molecules.Calculated results also show that the model works well in representing thethermodynamic properties for alcohol + aniline, alcohol + acetonitrile, andalcohol + alcohol mixtures.     

Potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Hibiscus Acid to Reverse Skin Aging

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HS) has a long history of edible and medicinal uses. In this study, the biological activities of the extracts, chromatographic fractions, and hibiscus acid obtained from HS were evaluated for their potential bioactivities. Their ability to promote extracellular matrix synthesis in skin fibroblasts was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in a nitric oxide (NO)–Griess inflammatory experiment. Furthermore, hibiscus acid was found to have a strong anti-oxidative stress effect through the establishment of an oxidative stress model induced by hydrogen peroxide. Several assays indicated that hibiscus acid treatment can effectively reduce extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secretion and carbonyl protein production, as well as maintain a high level of reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in skin cells, thus providing a possible mechanism by which hibiscus acid can counter antioxidative stress. The present study is the first to explore the reversing skin aging potential and the contributory component of HS.     

Excess enthalpies of binary and ternary mixtures of acetonitrile with methanol,ethanol and benzene

Excess molar enthalpies are measured for the binary mixtures methanol—acetonitrile and ethanol—acetonitrile at 25 and 35°C and for the ternary mixtures methanol—acetonitrile—benzene and ethanol—acetonitrile—benzene at 25°C using an isothermal dilution calorimeter. The binary results are well reproduced with an association model which contains four equilibrium constants for the association of alcohol, two equilibrium constants for that of acetonitrile, and two solvation equilibrium constants between alcohol and acetonitrile molecules. The ternary results are compared with those calculated from the model with binary parameters.     

Minimaxity of a preliminary test estimator for the mean of normal distribution

Summary The problem is to estimate the mean of the normal distribution under the situation where there is vague information that the mean might be equal to zero. A minimax property of the preliminary test estimator obtained by the use of AIC (Akaike information Criterion) procedure is proved under a loss function based on the Kullback-Leibler information measure.     

Sequences of differential systems

Our main result deals with certain properties of the sizes of a differential system and its dual system. It represents an improvement of part of the results in André's G-function theory (Max-Planck-Institut, Bonn, 1989).

     

Synthesis and properties of polyamides derived from systematically halogenated terephthalic acids with fluorine,chlorine, or bromine atoms

Aromatic polyamides were prepared from systematically halogenated terephthalic acids with hexamethylene diamine, piperazine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylether and p-phenylene diamine by interfacial or low temperature solution polycondensation. The halogenated terephthalic acids used have mono-, di-, or tetra-substituted fluorine, chlorine, or bromine atoms on the benzene ring. The nonhalogenated terephthalic acid was also used for the comparison. The effects of halogen substitution on the benzene ring on the synthesis and some properties of polymers were examined. Reduced specific viscosity decreased in the order F > Cl > Br by halogen substitution. The incorporation of halogen substituents on the ring led to a decrease of crystallinity and fluoro-substituents hindered the crystallization more strongly. The melting point (T_m) decreased in the order F > Cl > Br by mono-substitution, and Br > Cl > F by di-and tetra-substitution. The change of T_m caused by the difference of the number of halogen substituents differed depending on the rigidity of polymer chains. The flame-retardancy estimated by thermogravimetry, self-ignition, and flash-ignition test increased with increasing halogen content of the polymers. Solubility increased remarkably by halogen substitution. The peak temperature of tan δ decreased by halogen substitution. Some discussion was made on these effects of halogen substitution.