Resistance fluctuations in integer quantum-Hall transitions

We have studied the resistance fluctuations (RF) in integer quantum-Hall transitions for high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas systems. The role of coherence in RF is examined by investigating the conductance through two scattering regions, that are spatially separated but interfere quantum-mechanically with each other. The phase coherence does not play a substantial role in determining the pattern of RF, whereas it affects the amplitude of RF.     

Nitration reactions of astaxanthin and β-carotene by peroxynitrite

The in vitro reactivities of astaxanthin and β-carotene toward peroxynitrite were investigated and the reaction products after scavenging with peroxynitrite were analyzed. A series of carotenoids substituted with nitro group, 14′-s-cis-15′-nitroastaxanthin, 10′-s-cis-11′-cis-11′-nitroastaxanthin, 14′-s-cis-15′-nitro-β-carotene and 10′-s-cis-11′-cis-11′-nitro-β-carotene, were isolated from the reaction products of carotenoids with peroxynitrite. Carotenoids with nitro derivatives were reported for the first time. These results indicated that astaxanthin and β-carotene could catch peroxynitrite or nitrogen dioxide radical (NO₂) in their molecule to form nitrocarotenoids.     

Face-selective decoration of an organic single crystal toward photochemical devices

Face-selective decoration of a single crystal constructed from 1-pyrenemethylammonium chloride by an anionic porphyrin dye is reported. CLSM observations indicated that the {001} face of the single crystal was selectively coated by the anionic porphyrin (TPPS). This novel achievement could be the first step for preparation of multi-component composite materials mediated by anisotropy of organic single crystals toward photochemical devices.     

Doubly N-confused hexaphyrin: a novel aromatic expanded porphyrin that complexes bis-metals in the core

Meso-hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)-substituted doubly N-confused hexaphyrins and their metal complexes were synthesized for the first time, and the structures were elucidated by X-ray single-crystal analyses. The free base form of oxidized hexaphyrin (5) had two preorganized N3O pockets in the macrocyclic core, where a hydrogen-bonding network was formed to keep the molecule planar (the mean plane deviation is 0.054 A). The formation of a planar bis-Cu(II) complex was confirmed by UV/vis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and X-ray crystallography. The bis-Ni(II) complex (7), on the other hand, was distored from planarity, but it changed to the planar structure upon solvent (acetonitrile) coordination as judged by the observation of a sharp Soret-like band in absorption spectra and the X-ray structures of the complexes.     

A Unified and Broadened Class of Admissible Minimax Estimators of a Multivariate Normal Mean

The problem of estimating the mean of a multivariate normal distribution is considered. A class of admissible minimax estimators is constructed. This class includes two well-known classes of estimators, Strawderman's and Alam's. Further, this class is much broader than theirs.     

Determination of micro-amounts of sulphur in organic compounds by combustion and reduction

Summary A rapid sensitive method for the determination of microgram amounts of sulphur is described. Sulphur (free or combined) in organic substances is oxidised completely in an oxygen atmosphere over a platinum gauze catalyst after a preliminary incomplete combustion in air. The oxides of sulphur are collected on silver gauze at 550°. The oxygen is purged from the apparatus with a stream of nitrogen and then the silver sulphate is heated in a stream of hydrogen to yield hydrogen sulphide which is collected in an alkaline zinc acetate solution and subsequently determined spectrophotometrically by the methylene blue method.The recovery of sulphur in the range 5–40g was 100±5%. The method takes less than 25 minutes for a single determination and is reliable for the determination of as little as1 g of sulphur in all types of organic compounds. Solid, liquid, or gaseous samples may be used.

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Zusammenfassung Eine schnelle, empfindliche Methode zur Bestimmung von Mikrogrammmengen Schwefel wurde beschrieben. Freier oder gebundener Schwefel in organischem Material wird nach unvollständiger Verbrennung in Luft in Sauerstoffatmosphäre über einem Platindrahtnetz vollständig oxydiert. Die Schwefeloxide werden auf Silberdrahtnetz bei 550° gebunden. Der Sauerstoff wird mit Stickstoff aus der Apparatur gespült und dann das Silbersulfat im Wasserstoffstrom zu Schwefelwasserstoff reduziert, der in alkalischem Zinkacetat aufgefangen und dann nach der Methylenblaumethode spektrophotometrisch bestimmt wird.In der Größenordnung zwischen 5 und 10g wird der Schwefel zu 100±5% erfaßt. Eine Einzelbestimmung dauert weniger als 25 Minuten. Für alle Arten organischer Verbindungen, ob fest, flüssig oder gasförmig, eignet sich das Verfahren für die Bestimmung von 1g Schwefel und darüber.

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Résumé On décrit une méthode rapide et sensible pour le dosage de quantités de soufre de l'ordre du microgramme. Le soufre (libre ou combiné) dans les substances organiques est oxydé complètement en atmosphère d'oxygène sur une toile de platine, catalyseur, après une combustion préliminaire incomplète dans l'air. Les oxydes du soufre sont rassemblés sur une toile d'argent à 550°. On purge l'appareil de l'oxygène par un courant d'azote puis le sulfate d'argent est chauffé dans un courant d'hydrogène en donnant de l'hydrogène sulfuré qui est rassemblé dans une solution alcaline d'acétate de zinc et dosé ensuite par spectrophotométrie par la méthode au bleu de méthylène.La récupération du soufre entre 5 et 40g atteint 100±5%. La méthode demande moins de 25 minutes pour un dosage individuel et reste valable pour les teneurs descendant jusqu'à 1g de soufre dans les composés organiques de toutes natures. On peut utiliser des échantillons solides, liquides ou gazeux.

     

Determination of phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid for prediction of foetal lung maturity by microbore-column liquid chromatography

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) has been determined in amniotic fluid from 55 patients by using a microbore-column liquid chromatographic system. The present analysis time is 1 h 40 min for pretreatment of amniotic fluid and 20 min for a chromatographic run. From 2 ml of amniotic fluid, the PG content has been determined between 1.0 and 0.05 mg/dl. The detection limit of PG is 10 ng. As the injection volume (0.5 microliter) is small, repeated analyses are possible if necessary. It is concluded that, in the case of PG values over 0.10 mg/dl, a mother can deliver an infant without respiratory distress syndrome. This method is useful not only for the prenatal evaluation of lung maturity, but also for the assessment of any therapeutic effect.