Mg3Ir3Si8, ein neues Magnesium‐Iridium‐Silicid mit Tetraedern und gekappten Tetraedern aus Silicium‐Atomen

Mg₃Ir₃Si₈, a New Magnesium Iridium Silicide with Si₄ Tetrahedra and Si₁₂ Truncated Tetrahedra The ternary silicide Mg₃Ir₃Si₈ (cubic, a = 1221.4(1) pm, space group , 8 formula units per unit cell) was prepared by reaction of the elemental components in a sealed molybdenum container (1000 °C, 1 d, cooled with 100 °/h). The crystal structure was determined from single crystal data. Short distances in the three‐dimensional iridium silicon network indicate strong Ir‐Si‐bonding (d(Ir‐Si) = 240.5(2) and 245.6(1) pm). In addition, homonuclear bonding seems to be important, resulting in the formation of Si₄‐tetrahedra (d(Si‐Si) = 257(1) pm), and Mg centered Si₁₂‐polyhedra with the shape of truncated tetrahedra (d(Si‐Si) = 241(1) and 261.0(9) pm). Furthermore, Mg₄‐tetrahedra with Mg‐Mg‐distances of 355(2) pm are formed. The structure may be derived from the structure of the isotypic compounds Mg₅Pd₁₀Si₁₆ and Mg₅Pt₁₀Si₁₆ by adding a Mg siteset and subtracting a platinum metal siteset. It can be described by an expanded cubic “close” packing of MgIr₆‐octahedra in which Si₄‐tetrahedra reside in the octahedral holes while Mg₄‐tetrahedra and MgSi₁₂‐units occupy one half of the tetrahedral holes each.     

The dipolar route to naphtho[2,1‐c]isoxazoles from the baylis‐hillman adducts of 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes

A new synthesis of 4‐carbomethoxynaphtho[2,1‐c]isoxazoles 4a‐d from methyl 3‐(alkynylphenyl)‐2‐nitromethyl‐2‐propenoates 2a‐d by the intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition is described. The latter are readily obtained from 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes through the Baylis‐Hillman adduct acetates 1a‐d followed by nucleophilic substitution of nitrite anion.     

Facile approach for diblock codendrimers by fusion between Fréchet dendrons and PAMAM dendrons

For the first time, a simple and facile approach for the synthesis of diblock codendrimers by fusion between the azide focal point functionalized Fréchet-type polyether and the propargyl focal point functionalized Tomalia-type PAMAM dendrons has been described based on click chemistry, i.e., the copper-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction between alkyne and azide.     

Fourier-domain low-coherence interferometry for differential mode delay analysis of an optical fiber

We propose a novel mode analysis and differential mode delay measurement method for an optical fiber using Fourier-domain low-coherence interferometry. A spectral interferometer based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer setup was used with a broadband source and an optical spectrum analyzer to detect relative temporal delays between the guided modes of a few-mode optical fiber by analyzing spectral interference signals. We have shown that experimental results of the proposed method agree well with those results obtained by using a conventional time-domain measurement method. We have demonstrated that this new mode analysis technique has high sensitivity (<60 dB) and very good resolution (<1 ps/m).     

Interconversion of Planar Networks and Vesicles Triggered by Temperature

Dumbbell‐shaped amphiphiles based on an elongated rod segment can self‐assemble into planar networks with in‐plane hexagonally ordered pores in aqueous solution. On increasing temperature, the 2D networks change into hollow capsules passing through the closed sheets as an intermediate structure due to a LCST behavior of the oligoether dendritic exterior. The primary driving force for this interesting feature seems to originate from a consequence of the energy balance between hydrophobic interactions of anisotropic rod segments and alkyl chains, and repulsive interactions between dissimilar blocks. This dynamic structural variation triggered by external stimuli in a self‐assembling system can provide a useful strategy to create smart supramolecular materials and biomimetic systems.

     

Effectiveness of a multi-channel volumetric air receiver for a solar power tower

In this study, the heat transfer performance of a multi-channel volumetric air receiver for a solar power tower was numerically analyzed. The governing equations, including the solar radiation heat flux, conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer for a single channel, were solved on the basis of valid related references and a methodology that can predict the temperature distribution of the receiver wall and the heat transfer fluid for specific dimensions and input conditions. Furthermore, a mathematical model of the effectiveness of the receiver was derived from an analysis of the temperature profiles of the wall and the heat transfer fluid. The receiver effectiveness as an appropriate criterion to assess economic feasibility regarding geometric size was investigated, as it would be applied to the design process of the receiver. The main parameters for the thermal performance simulations described in this paper are the air mass flow rate, receiver length and the influence of these parameters on the heat transfer performance from the viewpoint of receiver efficiency and effectiveness.     

State estimation of neural networks with time-varying delays and Markovian jumping parameter based on passivity theory

In this paper, the state estimation problem is investigated for neural networks with time-varying delays and Markovian jumping parameter based on passivity theory. The neural networks have a finite number of modes and the modes may jump from one to another according to a Markov chain. The main purpose is to estimate the neuron states, through available output measurements such that for all admissible time-delays, the dynamics of the estimation error is globally stable in the mean square and passive from the control input to the output error. Based on the new Lyapunov?CKrasovskii functional and passivity theory, delay-dependent conditions are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed method and results.     

Analysis of microbending tests for polycrystalline materials using the modified strain gradient theory

A modified strain gradient theory is proposed based on the nonhomogeneity of polycrystalline metallic materials and free surface effects. Consideration of the geometrically necessary dislocations on the grain boundary and the free surface effect suggests a relationship between the characteristic length, specimen size and grain size. This relationship can explain the size effects and flow stress in micro/nanoscale structures. We will propose a new model for bending tests using the modified strain gradient plasticity theory. Using the proposed model, bending behavior of polycrystalline materials in micron-scale structures is investigated, and compared with experimental results from other researchers.     

Direct determination of nucleosides in the urine of patients with breast cancer using column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We developed an analytical method for a simple, sensitive and simultaneous determination of oxidized nucleosides in urine using column-switching liquid chromatography-electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS). We connected two columns through a six-way switching valve and effectively separated nucleosides in the urine from the interference by column-switching liquid chromatography. We monitored separated nucleosides using positive ionization tandem mass spectrometry in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The calibration ranges of nucleosides were 0.2-100 nmol/mL. The linearity of the method was 0.994-0.999, and the limits-of-detection (LOD) at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 were 0.1-0.2 nmol/mL. The coefficients of variation were in the range 2.28-11.74% for within-day variation and 4.36-11.15% for day-to-day variation, respectively. To explore the relationship between breast cancer and the nucleosides level in human urine, we measured the concentrations of nucleosides in female patients with breast cancer (n = 30) and in normal female subjects (n = 30). The concentration of nucleosides was significantly increased in patients with breast cancer when compared with the normal controls (1-methyladenosine; p < 0.005, N(2),N(2)-dimethylguanosine; p < 0.01, 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine; p < 0.001, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine; p < 0.001). Therefore, the elevated levels of nucleosides could be used as an important biomarker for breast-cancer research.     

High‐energy‐resolution diced spherical quartz analyzers for resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering

A novel diced spherical quartz analyzer for use in resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) is introduced, achieving an unprecedented energy resolution of 10.53 meV at the Ir L₃ absorption edge (11.215 keV). In this work the fabrication process and the characterization of the analyzer are presented, and an example of a RIXS spectrum of magnetic excitations in a Sr₃Ir₂O₇ sample is shown.