The determinant expressions of some theta constant identities

In this paper, we derive two interesting theta constant identities by considering determinant structures. One of the two identities which we obtained is given by the Pfaffian, and the other is expressed by the resultant.     

Synthesis and reversible hydration–dehydration system of copolymers bearing a vicinal tricarbonyl structure

Novel copolymers composed of a styrene (St) derivative bearing a vicinal tricarbonyl moiety and various vinyl monomers such as St, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) were synthesized by (1) radical copolymerization of a St derivative with a 1,3‐diketone structure with St, MMA, and NVP and (2) successive oxidation of the resulting copolymers with N‐bromosuccinimide in DMSO to convert their 1,3‐diketone moieties in the side chains into the corresponding vicinal tricarbonyl moieties. Their tricarbonyl moieties were readily hydrated in water‐containing acetone to generate the corresponding copolymers bearing geminal diol structures in the side chains. On the other hand, heating the resulting copolymers bearing the geminal diol structures in vacuo‐enabled successful recovery of the vicinal tricarbonyl moieties to demonstrate the reversible nature of this system. The hydration behavior in powdery state under air atmosphere saturated by water was also investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Spatial and seasonal variations in attenuation of solar ultraviolet radiation in Lake Biwa, Japan

Seasonal changes in diffuse ultraviolet (UV) and visible light attenuations and inherent optical properties in the lake water were monitored at the pelagic and littoral shallow zones of Lake Biwa which features a broad range of optical conditions within a single large water body. We considered the absorption factors that affect UV attenuation, and clarified the contribution of the absorption of suspended particles and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) by multiple regression analyses of the monitoring data. The variability of UV attenuations in the lake demonstrated a strong contrast between the pelagic and the shallow zones. The latter were characterized by turbid systems supplying suspended matter as well as CDOM, whereas the former was far from the turbid systems in the littoral zone or the lake bottom. In this lake, the regulation of UV and light attenuations is rendered competitive by the absorption of suspended particles and CDOM in the lake water, hence, the UV penetration has both spatial and temporal variability based on changes in the physical and biological condition of the lake.     

On the critical cluster in the two-dimensional Ising model: computer-assisted exact results

For a nearest-neighbor Ising model on a square lattice all cluster configurations with 17 or fewer spins are identified. In neglect of cluster-cluster interactions, critical sizes and barriers to nucleation are obtained as functions of temperature and magnetic field for two alternative definitions of a "critical cluster."     

Copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a comonomer with spiroacetal moiety

The study reports the synthesis of a copolymer based on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 3,9‐divinyl‐2,4,8,10‐tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (U) acquired through radical polymerization in the presence of 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionitrile). The attempt was to have a solid content as high as 10 wt %. The polymerization process was conducted in the presence of a classic ionic surfactant—sodium lauryl sulfate—and comparatively using two variants of protective colloid β‐cyclodextrin and poly(aspartic acid), respectively. The prepared dispersions were characterized from the viewpoint of their hydrodynamic radius, zeta potential, and conductivity evolution during syntheses. The mean particle size and size distribution and zeta potential and conductivity were also evaluated for the synthesized polymeric particles. The compositions of the polymers were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra, and also, the thermal stability of the polymeric compounds was evaluated. SEM and AFM investigations of the polymer morphology are also presented. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and photovoltaic behaviors of narrow‐band‐gap π‐conjugated polymers composed of dialkoxybenzodithiophene‐ and thiophene‐based fused aromatic rings

π‐Conjugated polymers, PBDT‐CNETT and PBDT‐CNECPDT , were prepared by the Stille cross‐coupling polymerization. Optical and thermal properties of the obtained polymers were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. PBDT‐CNETT and PBDT‐CNECPDT exhibited very narrow band gaps of 1.39 and 1.13 eV, respectively. Highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels estimated by surface analyzer were ?5.17 and ?5.11 eV for PBDT‐CNETT and PBDT‐CNECPDT , respectively. The solar cells based on these polymers were evaluated with the cell configuration of ITO/PEDOT‐PSS/polymer:PC₆₁BH/LiF/Al. The power conversion efficiencies of the solar cells were estimated to be 1.57 and 0.16% for PBDT‐CNETT and PBDT‐CNECPDT , respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Large Seebeck coefficients in iron‐oxypnictides: a new route towards n‐type thermoelectric materials

The iron‐oxypnictide compounds, recently reported as a new class of superconductors when appropriately doped, exhibit large Seebeck coefficients, of the order of –100 µV/K, while keeping good electrical conductivity. Their power factor shows a peak at low temperatures, suggesting possible applications of these materials in thermoelectric cooling modules in the liquid nitrogen temperature range. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)