Preparation of a colloidal array of NaTaO3 nanoparticles via a confined space synthesis route and its photocatalytic application

The confined space synthesis method has been applied to the preparation of sodium tantalate (NaTaO(3)); hydrothermal reaction of NaOH and Ta(2)O(5) was carried out in the pores of a three-dimensional mesoporous carbon, which was replicated by the colloidal array of silica nanospheres (SNSs) 20 nm in size. This approach led to the formation of a colloidal array of NaTaO(3) nanoparticles 20 nm in size with a surface area of 34 m(2) g(-1). The photocatalytic performance of the colloidal array of NaTaO(3) nanoparticles for overall water splitting under UV irradiation (λ > 200 nm) was evaluated after loading a NiO cocatalyst onto NaTaO(3) samples. The NiO-loaded NaTaO(3) nanoparticles showed photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting more than three times as high as non-structured bulk NaTaO(3) particles.     

On Symmetric Stable-Type Processes with Degenerate/Singular Lévy Densities

Journal of Theoretical Probability - We consider symmetric stable-type processes with degenerate/singular Lévy densities via Dirichlet form theory. We give conditions of some global path...     

Changes in Hip and Knee Muscle Strength in Patients Following Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective: To investigate changes in hip and knee muscle strength in patients before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in comparison with that in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 21 women who underwent unilateral THA (THA group) and 21 age-matched healthy women (healthy group). Maximal isometric strengths of hip flexors, extensors, and abductors, and knee extensors and flexors were measured before surgery and at 4 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Results: Before surgery, muscle strength on both sides, except for hip flexors on the uninvolved side, was significantly lower in the THA group than the corresponding muscle strength in the healthy group. Up to 6 months after THA, strength of all muscle groups on both sides was significantly improved compared with their preoperative status, although the knee extensor strength on the involved side temporarily worsened at 4 weeks. However, the strength of hip extensors and knee extensors on the involved side, and hip abductors on both sides in the THA group remained below that in the healthy group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that rehabilitation specialists should consider increasing the focus on the uninvolved side and encourage patients to continue strength training beyond 6 months after surgery.     

Magnesium K‐edge XANES spectroscopy of geological standards

Magnesium K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra have been investigated to develop a systematic understanding of a suite of Mg‐bearing geological materials such as silicate and carbonate minerals, sediments, rocks and chemical reagents. For the model compounds the Mg XANES was found to vary widely between compounds and to provide a fingerprint for the form of Mg involved in geologic materials. The energy positions and resonance features obtained from these spectra can be used to specify the dominant molecular host site of Mg, thus shedding light on Mg partitioning and isotope fractionation in geologic materials and providing a valuable complement to existing knowledge of Mg geochemistry.     

Thermal vibration in superionic conducting glass 5Agl–3Ag2O–2V2O5

The X-ray diffraction measurement for superionic conducting glass 5Agl–3Ag₂O–2V₂O₅ was carried out at 12, 100, 200 and 290 K. The temperature dependence of structure factor S(Q) of 5Agl–3Ag₂O–2V₂O₅ has been discussed based on the theoretical treatment that includes thermal vibration of atoms in noncrystalline materials. The effective overall Debye–Waller temperature parameter B increases with the increase of temperature.     

Phase Transition of CuITe

The phase transition and the crystal structures of CuITe were investigated by differential thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction measurements in the temperature range between 300 and 683 K. The new phase transition in CuITe was observed at 592 K. The enthalpy of transition is ΔH=0.125 kJ mol^-1. The new phase above 592 K belongs to tetragonal system with the space group I4₁ /amd. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The structure of AgI-Ag2O-V2O5 glasses

Structures of 10AgI-3Ag₂O-2V₂O₅, 3AgI-3Ag₂O---2V₂O₅ and 2AgI---2Ag₂O-V₂O₅ glasses have been investigated by neutron diffraction experiments. The characteristic features of observed structure factors S(Q) in 10AgI-3Ag₂O-2V₂O₅ glass is similar to those of other superionic conducting glasses and molten AgI. From the standpoint of the pair distribution functions, it is clarified that the Ag-I and I-I correlation strength and Ag---Ag correlation length increase with increasing AgI concentration. Observed results suggest that the local AgI structure accompanied by the re-arrangement of silver ions is formed with highly doped iodide ions.     

Cohaerins C-F, four azaphilones from the xylariaceous fungus Annulohypoxylon cohaerens

Four azaphilones named cohaerins C-F, along with 4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl were isolated from the methanolic extract of the stromata of Annulohypoxylon cohaerens (Ascomycetes, Xylariaceae). Cohaerins C-E constitute typical azaphilones, bearing a γ-lactone ring, while cohaerin F has an unprecedented carbon skeleton, lacking the lactone ring of the azaphilones and with an aliphatic side chain being attached directly to the azaphilone backbone by a C-C bond. Their structures were determined by 2D NMR, IR, UV, and CD spectroscopy. They showed moderate inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production in RAW cells, and strong and nonselective antimicrobial effects.