Band-dependent quasiparticle dynamics in the hole-doped Ba-122 iron pnictides

We report on band-dependent quasiparticle dynamics in the hole-doped Ba-122 pnictides measured by ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy. In the superconducting state of the optimal and over hole-doped samples, we observe two distinct relaxation processes: a fast component whose decay rate increases linearly with excitation density and a slow component whose relaxation is independent of excitation strength. We argue that these two components reflect the recombination of quasiparticles in the two hole bands through intraband and interband processes. We also find that the thermal recombination rate of quasiparticles increases quadratically with temperature in all samples. The temperature and excitation density dependence of the decays indicates fully gapped hole bands and nodal or very anisotropic electron bands.     

Immobilization of silver nanoparticles on silica microspheres

The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been immobilized onto silica microspheres through the adsorption and subsequent reduction of Ag⁺ ions on the surfaces of the silica microspheres. The neat silica microspheres that acted as the core materials were prepared through sol–gel processing; their surfaces were then functionalized using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The major aims of this study were to immobilize differently sized Ag particles onto the silica microspheres and to understand the mechanism of formation of the Ag nano-coatings through the self-assembly/adsorption behavior of Ag NPs/Ag⁺ ions on the silica spheres. The obtained Ag NP/silica microsphere conglomerates were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Their electromagnetic wave shielding effectiveness were also tested and studied. The average particle size of the obtained Ag NPs on the silica microsphere was found that could be controllable (from 2.9 to 51.5 nm) by adjusting the ratio of MPTMS/TEOS and the amount of AgNO₃.     

Determination of components in propolis by capillary electrophoresis and photodiode array detection

The capillary electrophoretic separation of components in propolis, a commonly used natural medicine, was investigated. Optimum conditions for the separation were established. Photodiode-array detection permitted the rapid identification of the components in the samples analysed. The determination of these components, including caffeic acid, dimethylcaffeic acid, isoferulic acid and quercetin, was performed on a commercial propolis sample.     

Effect of ionic strength, pH and polymer concentration on the separation of DNA fragments in the presence of electroosmotic flow

DNA separations in the presence of electroosmotic flow (EOF) using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions have been demonstrated. During the separations, PEO entered capillaries filled with Tris-borate (TB) free buffers by EOF and acted as sieving matrices. We have found that ionic strength and pH of polymer and free solutions affect the bulk EOF and resolution differently from that in capillary zone electrophoresis. The EOF coefficient increases with increasing ionic strength of the free TB buffers as a result of decreases in the adsorption of PEO molecules. In contrast, the bulk EOF decreases with increasing the ionic strength of polymer solutions using capillaries filled with high concentrations of free TB buffers. Although resolution values are high due to larger differential migration times between any two DNA fragments in a small bulk EOF using 10 mM TB buffers, use of a capillary filled with at least 100 mM TB free buffers is suggested for high-speed separations. On the side of PEO solutions, 1.5% PEO solutions prepared in 100 to 200 mM TB buffers are more proper in terms of resolution and speed. The separation of DNA markers V and VI was accomplished less than 29 min in 1.5% PEO solutions prepared in 100 mM TB buffers, pH 7.0 at 500 V/cm using a capillary filled with 10 mM free TB buffers, pH 7.0.     

Dynamic modification of the capillary wall for electrophoretic separations of small ions

Separations of small ions were carried out under nonequilibrated conditions using capillaries treated with NaOH, HCl, or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) prior to analysis. For separations of benzoic acid isomers or acids and amines under weakly acidic conditions, capillaries flushed with 0.1 M NaOH and subsequently with running buffers prior to analysis were used. Separations of six benzoic acid isomers were accomplished in 4 min in 1 mM phosphate buffers, pH 4.01, containing 2.5 mM hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Without additives, the separation of biological amines and acids were also achieved in 10 min at pH 4.01. Capillaries treated with 0.1 M HCl prior to analysis were tested in separations of six phenols in 5 mM Tris solutions at pH 7.0. As a result of small electrophoretic mobilities of phenols against a small electroosmotic flow, resolution was optimized. We also found that reproducibility was improved using capillaries treated with HCl. The relative standard deviations of migration mobility of phenols were less than 1%, which were smaller than those obtained using capillaries treated with 0.1 M NaOH or Tris.     

Oxidative Addition vs. Ligand-Exchange: Fe(II)-Mixed-Phenylchalcogenolate Complexes fac-[PPN][Fe(CO)3(TePh)n(SePh)3-N] (n = 1, 2)

Diphenyldichalcogenides (PhE)₂ (E = Te, Se) react with Fe(0)-phenylchalcogenolate [PPN] [PhEFe(CO)₄] to yield the products of oxidative addition, Fe(II)-mixed-phenylchalcogenolate fac- [PPN][Fe(CO)₃(TePh)_n(ScPh)_3-n] (n = 1, 2). Reactions of [PPN][REFe(CO)₄] (E=Se, R=Me; E=S, R=Et) and diphenyldichalcogenides yielded ligand-exchange products [PPN][PhEFe(CO)₄] (E=Te, Se, S). The compounds [Fe(CO)₃(TePh)(ScPh)₂]^? (l) and [Fe(CO)₃(TePh)₂ (2) crystallize in the isomorphous monoclinic space group C_2/e, with a = 32.035(8), b = 11.708(6), c = 28.909(6) Å, Z = 8, R = 0.048, and R_w = 0.044 (1); with a = 32.089(5), b= 11.745(2), c = 28.990(8) Å, Z = 8, R = 0.048, and R_w = 0.048 (2). The complexes 1 and 2 crystallize as discrete cations of PPN⁺ and anions of [Fe(CO)₃(TcPh)_u(ScPh)_3-n] (n=1, 2), and one half solvent molecule THF. The geometry around Fe(II) is a distorted octahedron with three carbonyl groups and three phenylchalcogenolate ligands occupying facial positions.     

Thermosensitive lactitol-based polyether polyol (LPEP) hydrogels

A series of new thermosensitive polymer hydrogels were prepared by reacting acylated poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether (PEGBCOCl) with lactitol-based polyether polyols (LPEP). The polyether polyols were generated from propoxylation of lactitol and have molecular weights ranging from 1337 to 4055 g/mol. The hydrogels absorb water up to 1000% of their dry weight and expel free water at temperatures at and above 30°C. The wide ranging swelling behavior and excellent thermosensitivity depend closely on the degree of crosslinking and the propylene oxide lengths in the polyols. Differential scanning calorimetry of the hydrogels showed two endotherms associated with the phase transitions of PO and EO segments in the hydrogel structures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 979–984, 1998     

Application of macroautoradiography and instantimage in radiopharmaceutical research

The evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of pure, beta radiopharmaceuticals is not possible with scintigraphy. Both whole-body autoradiography (WBAR) and Packard Instantimager, a device for rapid imaging, were used to study the whole body distribution of γ- and β-emitting radionuclides (^99mTc-MDP,^99mTc-sulfur colloid, or¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP), and results obtained from both methods were compared. The biodistribution of^99mTc-MDP and¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP were seen mainly in bones including skull, spine, and vertebrae of spine and cardiac and skeletal muscles. The^99mTc-sulfur colloid localized in liver, bone marrow, and spleen. The resolution of WBAR is superior than that of Packard Instantimager. However, the advantage of Packard Instantimager is that rapid imaging within few minutes is possible with it, while WBAR imaging requires several hours to days.