Versatile post-functionalisation strategy for the formation of modular organic–inorganic polyoxometalate hybrids

Hybrid structures incorporating different organic and inorganic constituents are emerging as a very promising class of materials since they synergistically combine the complementary and diverse properties of the individual components. Hybrid materials based on polyoxometalate clusters (POMs) are particularly interesting due to their versatile catalytic, redox, electronic, and magnetic properties, yet the controlled incorporation of different clusters into a hybrid structure is challenging and has been scarcely reported. Herein we propose a novel and general strategy for combining multiple types of metal-oxo clusters in a single hybrid molecule. Two novel hybrid POM structures (HPOMs) bis-functionalised with dipentaerythritol (R–POM₁–R; R = (OCH₂)₃CCH₂OCH₂C(CH₂OH)) were synthesised as building-blocks for the formation of heterometallic hybrid triads (POM₂–R–POM₁–R–POM₂). Such a modular approach resulted in the formation of four novel heterometallic hybrids combing the Lindqvist {V₆}, Anderson–Evans {XMo₆} (X = Cr or Al) and trisubstituted Wells–Dawson {P₂V₃W₁₅} POM structures. Their formation was confirmed by multinuclear Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as Mass Spectrometry, Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) and elemental analysis. The thermal stability of the hybrids was also examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), which showed that the HPOM triads exhibit higher thermal stability than comparable hybrid structures containing only one type of POM. The one-pot synthesis of these novel compounds was achieved in high yields in aqueous and organic media under simple reflux conditions, without the need of any additives, and could be translated to create other hybrid materials based on a variety of metal-oxo cluster building-blocks.

A versatile modular approach has been developed for incorporating different metal-oxo nanoclusters with characteristic structures into a single hybrid molecule by covalently linking them with polyol ligands.     

Three-dimensional cross-linked F-actin networks: relation between network architecture and mechanical behavior

Numerical simulations are reported for the response of three-dimensional cross-linked F-actin networks when subjected to large deformations. In addition to the physiological parameters such as actin and cross-linker concentration, the model explicitly accounts for filament properties and network architecture. Complementary to two-dimensional studies, we find that the strain-stiffening characteristics depend on network architecture through the local topology around cross-links.     

Special designed RF-antenna with integrated non-invasive carbon electrodes for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography acquisition at 7T

The construction of a high quality MR RF-antenna with incorporated EEG electrodes for simultaneous MRI and EEG acquisition is presented. The antenna comprises an active decoupled surface coil for receiving the MR signal and a whole body coil for transmitting the excitation RF pulses. The surface coil offers a high signal-to-noise ratio required for fMRI application and the whole body coil has a good B(1) excitation profile, which enables the application of homogeneous RF pulses. Non-invasive carbon electrodes are used in order to minimise the magnetic susceptibility artefacts that occur upon application of conductive materials. This dedicated set-up is compared to a standard set-up being a linear birdcage coil and commercially available Ag/AgCl electrodes. As the acquired EEG signals are heavily disturbed by the gradient switching, intelligent filtering is applied to obtain a clean EEG signal.     

Kaon production in\bar pp interactions at c.m. energies from 200 to 900 GeV

A detailed analysis ofK _s ⁰ production in \(\bar pp\) |<2.5 the average transverse momentum is found to be 0.53±0.07 GeV/c at 200 GeV and 0.62±0.08 GeV/c at 900 GeV, which is an increase with respect to data at c.m. energies below 60 GeV. TheK _s ⁰ production cross sections in inelastic collisions are 29±4 mb at 200 GeV and 63±6 mb at 900 GeV, showing an increase compared to lower energy data. The central kaon density is found to increase as a logarithmic function of energy. At 900 GeV, where statistics are sufficient to allow one to draw conclusions, the average transverse momentum is higher in events with large charged multiplicity than in events with low multiplicity.     

On a characterization of analytic compactifications for ℂ* × ℂ*

Let M be a minimal compact surface, let Γ ⊂ M be a compact analytic sub-variety. Assume that X:= M \ Γ is Stein. Then we will show that X admits algebraic compactifications M _i (resp. non algebraic compactifications $ \mathbb{M}_i $ \mathbb{M}_i ) which are not birationally equivalent (resp. not bimeromorphically equivalent) iff X is biholomorphic to      

Methanol from synthesis gas over bimetallic FePd catalysts

Bimetallic FePd/SiO₂ catalysts exhibit higher activities in the formation of methanol from synthesis gas than Pd/SiO₂. The catalysts are a complex mixture of bcc and fcc FePd alloy, α-Fe and some unreduced iron.     

Ultra-Precise Mass Measurements Using the UW-PTMS

Based on the use of a single ion, isolated at the center of a cryogenically cooled Penning trap, an environment is produced which makes this mass spectrometer remarkably free of systematic errors. The most notable developments in our quest for an ultra-high accuracy instrument were (a) the compensation of the trapping potential, (b) the discovery that motional sidebands could manipulate radial energies, (c) the use of multiply-charged ions that could improve signal-to-noise, and (d) the use of an ultra-stable superconducting magnet/cryostat system with drift <0.010 ppb/h. The dominant systematic errors are associated with radial electric fields caused by image charges in the trap electrodes and with the rf-electrical drive field used to determine the harmonic axial resonance. To illustrate the potential of this improved spectrometer, the four-fold improved measurement of the proton's mass and the eight-fold improved measurement of oxygen's atomic mass will be described. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measuring the Michel parameter ξ'

Unlike the majority of Michel parameters which are consistent with the Standard Model V-A interaction, the experimental value of ξ″(=0.65±0.36) [1] is poorly known. Our experiment will measure the longitudinal polarization, P _L , of positrons emitted from the decay of polarized muons. The value of P _L , equal to unity in the Standard Model, will decrease for high energy positrons emitted antiparallel to the muon spin if the combination of Michel parameters ξ″/ξξ′ − 1 deviates from the Standard Model value of zero. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the theory of anisotropic creep of unidirectional glass-reinforced plastics

The basic relations of the theory of anisotropic creep of unidirectional glass-reinforced plastics (GRPs) in a three-dimensional stress state are found using a model of a material with inhomogeneous structure and the rheological properties of the resin. These relations are suitable for investigating the stress state of GRPs for resin stresses not exceeding certain values. The phenomena of simple creep and stress relaxation are studied with reference to a unidirectional GRP with an epoxy-maleic resin matrix.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 64–69, 1965