Palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino cyclizations: An easy entry toward polycondensed pyrrolidone derivatives

A new type I palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino process is developed, in which a single Pd-based catalytic system promotes two mechanistically unrelated, sequential catalytic cycles in chronologically distinct order. Suitable precursors undergo an allylic alkylation and a Heck coupling in sequence, affording polycondensed pyrrolidone derivatives. Depending on the starting precursors, intra/inter or doubly intramolecular processes can be obtained. The allylic alkylation process takes place always very smoothly. On the other hand, the Heck coupling turns out to be rather difficult either when the process is intermolecular, or when an intramolecular process generates polycondensed structures featuring three fused bonds connected to a common carbon atom. In such difficult cases, use of the Herrmann-Beller phosphapalladacycle allowed to catalyze the coupling. This study demonstrates also that allylic alkylations can be catalyzed by the Herrmann-Beller phosphapalladacycle.     

Mathematics achievement and interest in mathematics from a differential perspective

In this article, we present results of an empirical study with 500 German students of grades 7 and 8. The study focussed on students' mathematics achievement and their interest in mathematics as well as on the relation between these two constructs. In particular, the results show that the development of an individual student's achievement between grade 7 and grade 8 depends on the achievement level of the specific classroom and therefore on the specific mathematics instruction Interest in mathematics could be regarded a predictor for mathematics achievement Moreover, our findings suggest that the students show hardly any fear of mathematics independent of their achievement level.     

The structure of students' emotions experienced during a mathematical achievement test

Several models have been developed in order to categorize the numerous expressions that people use in order to describe their emotional experiences. The focus of the present study is on one of these theoretical classifications proposed by Pekrun (1992) specifically concerning emotions which are directly related to learning and achievement in mathematics. In his model, emotions are classified according to their valence (positive vs. negative) and their level of activation. In testing the assumptions of this model, we investigated students' enjoyment, anxiety, anger and boredom experienced before, during, and after the completion of a math test. Correspondence analyses which were used to generate a graphical illustration of structural interrelationships between these emotions provide empirical support for the theoretical classification.     

Appropriate problems for learning and for performing—an issue for teacher training

Selecting, modifying or creating appropriate problems for mathematics class has become an activity of increaing importance in the professional development of German mathematics teachers. But rather than asking in general: “What is a good problem?” there should be a stronger emphasis on considering the specific goal of a problem, e.g.: “What are the ingredients that make a problem appropriate for initiating a learning process” or “What are the characteristics that make a problem appropriate for its use in a central test?” We propose a guiding scheme for teachers that turns out to be especially helpful, since the newly introduced orientation on outcome standards a) leads to a critical predominance of test items and b) expects teachers to design adequate problems for specific learning processes (e.g. problem solving, reasoning and modelling activities).     

Dirac equation in metric-affine gravitation theories and superpotentials

We consider a metric-affine gravitational framework in which the dynamical fields are the spin structures, the general linear connections, and the Dirac fermion fields. Using a spin structure and a linear connection on the world manifold, we construct a principal connection on the spinor bundle. By applying general ideas concerning the conservation laws in the Lagrangian approach to field theory, we examine the corresponding conserved currents. The main result is that the currents associated with infinitesimal vertical (internal) transformations of the covariance group are shown to vanish identically. It follows that to every vector field on the world manifold there corresponds a well-defined current, the stress-energymomentum of the fields. It turns out that the fermion fields do not contribute at all to the superpotential terms. Actually the expression we get for the superpotential generalizes the well-known expression obtained by Komar.     

Necessary conditions and non-existence results for autonomous nonconvex variational problems

Classical one-dimensional, autonomous Lagrange problems are considered. In absence of any smoothness, convexity or coercivity condition on the energy density, we prove a DuBois-Reymond type necessary condition, expressed as a differential inclusion involving the subdifferential of convex analysis. As a consequence, a non-existence result is obtained.     

A Tin(IV) Porphyrin with Two Axial Organometallic NCN‐Pincer Platinum Units

A tin(IV) porphyrin was combined with two axial NCN‐pincer platinum(II) fragments by utilizing the oxophilicity of the apical positions on the tin atom and the acidic nature of the NCN‐pincer platinum derived benzoic acid. The solid‐state structure determined by X‐ray crystallography revealed some close contacts between the pincer complexes and the meso‐p‐tolyl subsitutents of the porphyrin. It was shown by ¹H NMR spectroscopy that these close contacts were not present in solution and that this compound can potentially act as a novel building block for supramolecular architectures.     

The Solow model improved through the logistic manpower growth law

In this paper the neo-classical economic Solow-Swan model (1956) has been improved replacing its Malthusian manpower law with the Verhulst (logistic) one. The relevant ordinary differential equation for the ratio capital/work has been then integrated in closed form via the Hypergeometric function₂ F ₁. The logistic growth injection for the manpower is detected to induce a more slow dynamics onto the Solow-Swan system, which keeps its stability. Increasing developments are displayed as the technologic progress rises. Further sceneries are tested and the congruence of the new solution with the classical one is shown switching to zero the selflimitation coefficent in the logistic law. Research supported by MURST grant:Metodi matematici in economia