Large-scale supramolecular structure in solutions of low molar mass compounds and mixtures of liquids: II. Kinetics of the formation and long-time stability

Kinetics of the formation of large-scale supramolecular structure and its long-time stability were investigated in detail in solutions of electrolytes, nonelectrolytes, and mixtures of liquids. This structure comprises submicron-sized domains (large clusters) with higher solute concentration than in the rest of solution. In the case of mixtures of liquids, a complete real-time monitoring of the structure formation was possible in all cases. In the case of solutions of solid samples, the observation was possible in cases when the structure formation was significantly slower than the dissolution process. The time scale on which the supramolecular structure develops varies from minutes to weeks, depending on the concrete system. The long-time stability of the developed structure was investigated in time intervals ranging up to 15 months. In some systems the resulting domain structure appears stable, in others a very slow ceasing of domains is observed over very long time intervals. In all cases, however, slow kinetic effects are present in the systems investigated. Among others, data on some common substances of great chemical and biological importance such as sodium chloride, acetic acid, glucose, and ethanol, are presented.     

Ant colony optimization for the arc routing problem with intermediate facilities under capacity and length restrictions

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new ant colony optimization procedure for the Arc Routing Problem with Intermediate Facilities under Capacity and Length Restrictions (CLARPIF), a variant of the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem (CARP) and of the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem with Intermediate Facilities (CARPIF). Computational results show that this algorithm is capable of providing substantial improvements over other known heuristics.     

Strong stabilization of models incorporating the thermoelastic Reissner–Mindlin plate equations with second sound

In this article we are concerned with the strong stabilization of models for the Reissner–Mindlin plate equations with second sound, that is, models that include thermal effects described according to Cattaneo's law of heat conduction instead of Fourier's law in classical thermoelasticity. Two models will be considered which are distinct with respect to the property of compactness or non-compactness of the resolvent of the generator of the underlying semigroup. In accordance with the compactness or non-compactness of the resolvent operator, a different criterion for strong stability is implemented to achieve the strong stabilization of each model. In the compact resolvent case we avail ourselves of a result given by Benchimol [C.D. Benchimol, A note on weak stabilizability of contraction semigroups, SIAM J. Control Optim. 16 (1978), pp. 373–379] and in the non-compact case we resort to a stability criterion Tomilov [Y. Tomilov, A resolvent approach to stability of operator semigroups, J. Operator Theory 46 (2001), pp. 63–98].     

A note on determinants,minors and a boundary map

We give an explicit formula for the first non-trivial boundary map of the Akin–Buchsbaum–Weyman resolution (Schur functors and Schur complexes, Adv. Math 1982;44:207-278). The role of the Laplace expansion formula is emphasized.     

Counting BPS States on the Enriques Calabi-Yau

We study topological string amplitudes for the FHSV model using various techniques. This model has a type II realization involving a Calabi-Yau threefold with Enriques fibres, which we call the Enriques Calabi-Yau. By applying heterotic/type IIA duality, we compute the topological amplitudes in the fibre to all genera. It turns out that there are two different ways to do the computation that lead to topological couplings with different BPS content. One of them gives the standard D0-D2 counting amplitudes, and from the other one we obtain information about bound states of D0-D4-D2 branes on the Enriques fibre. We also study the model using mirror symmetry and the holomorphic anomaly equations. We verify in this way the heterotic results for the D0-D2 generating functional for low genera and find closed expressions for the topological amplitudes on the total space in terms of modular forms, and up to genus three. This model turns out to be much simpler than the generic B-model and might be exactly solvable.     

Glass‐embedded silver nanoparticle patterns by masked ion‐exchange process for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

Glass‐embedded silver nanoparticle patterns were fabricated by masked silver–sodium ion‐exchange process followed by etching to reveal the particles for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The intensity of the enhanced Raman signal is comparable to that of the fluorescence, and the detection limit of 1 nM for Rhodamine 6G has been achieved. Raman images at different etching depths and corresponding morphological images are compared to find optimal SERS signal. Our results demonstrate that silver nanoparticle patterns embedded in glass can be used as SERS‐active substrates. Nanoparticles can be formed in a glass of high optical quality and have potential to be integrated with optical waveguides for a sensor chip. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new method of using supercritical carbon dioxide as a green solvent for synthesis and purification of 5,5‴-bis(tridecafluorohexyl)-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴-quaterthiophene,which is one of n-type organic semiconducting materials

We have investigated synthesis as well as purification of 5,5?-bis(tridecafluorohexyl)-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2?-quaterthiophene (BFH-4?T, n-type organic semiconducting material) using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) as a green solvent. BFH-4T was obtained in good selectivity and high yield by TDAE/PdCl₂-catalyzed reductive coupling reaction of 5-bromo-5′-(tridecafluorohexyl)-2,2′-bithiophene in scCO₂. We have also successfully established purification of the reaction mixture by passing scCO₂ in the reaction vessel. The product was yellow powder of BFH-4T with purity of more than 99% and Pd catalyst was not contained.     

Biphenyl ether and biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia

Three new biphenyl ether quinolizidine lactone alkaloids (1–3) and 13 new biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids (4–16) were isolated from Heimia salicifolia (Lythraceae) together with seven known alkaloids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical conversions.