Gold-surface binding of molecular switches studied by M?ssbauer spectroscopy

The nonanuclear coordination compound [Mo^IV{(CN)Fe^III(3-methyl-saldptn)}₈]Cl₄ exhibits multiple spin transitions (3-methyl-saldptn = N,N′-bis(3′′-methyl-2′′-hydroxy-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane). This spin crossover cluster is bound via a self-assembled monolayer onto a two dimensional array gold surface. M?ssbauer spectroscopy indicates that the thermally and optically induced spin crossover of the compound is maintained. Thereby, the foundation for its potential practical application (e.g. in the field of information storage) was laid.     

Hard X‐ray phase‐contrast tomography of non‐homogeneous specimens: grating interferometry versus propagation‐based imaging

X‐ray phase‐contrast imaging is an effective approach to drastically increase the contrast and sensitivity of microtomographic techniques. Numerous approaches to depict the real part of the complex‐valued refractive index of a specimen are nowadays available. A comparative study using experimental data from grating‐based interferometry and propagation‐based phase contrast combined with single‐distance phase retrieval applied to a non‐homogeneous sample is presented (acquired at beamline ID19‐ESRF). It is shown that grating‐based interferometry can handle density gradients in a superior manner. The study underlines the complementarity of the two techniques for practical applications.     

Diamond/graphite content and biocompatibility of DLC films fabricated by PLD

Biocompatibility and physicochemical properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin layers prepared by pulsed laser deposition method were studied. The films of high and low diamond/graphite content were prepared by changing the laser energy density on the graphite target from 4 to 11 J cm⁻². The bonds and surface properties as roughness, atomic force microscopy topology, contact angle parameters, and zeta potential were measured. The cell adhesion/proliferation on DLC layers was tested using normal human fibroblasts and keratinocytes.     

Formation of copper islands on a native SiO2 surface at elevated temperatures

A combination of in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and ex situ scanning electron- and atomic force microscopy has been used to study the formation of copper islands upon Cu deposition at elevated temperatures as a basis for the guided growth of copper islands. Two different temperature regions have been found: (I) up to 250 °C only close packed islands are formed due to low diffusion length of copper atoms on the surface. The SiO₂ film acts as a barrier protecting the silicon substrate from diffusion of Cu atoms from oxide surface. (II) The deposition at temperatures above 300 °C leads to the formation of separate islands which are (primarily at higher temperatures) crystalline. At these temperatures, copper atoms diffuse through the SiO₂ layer. However, they are not entirely dissolved in the bulk but a fraction of them forms a Cu rich layer in the vicinity of SiO₂/Si interface. The high copper concentration in this layer lowers the concentration gradient between the surface and the substrate and, consequently, inhibits the diffusion of Cu atoms into the substrate. Hence, the Cu islands remain on the surface even at temperatures as high as 450 °C.     

First measurement of the ϱ spectral function in nuclear collisions

The NA60 experiment at the CERN SPS has studied low-mass muon pairs in 158 A GeV In–In collisions. A strong excess of pairs is observed above the yield expected from neutral meson decays. The unprecedented sample size close to 400000 events and the good mass resolution of about 2% made it possible to isolate the excess by subtraction of the decay sources. The shape of the resulting mass spectrum shows some non-trivial centrality dependence, but is largely consistent with a dominant contribution from π⁺π^-→ϱ→μ⁺μ^- annihilation. The associated ϱ spectral function exhibits considerable broadening, but essentially no shift in mass. The p_T-differential mass spectra show the excess to be much stronger at low p_T than at high p_T. The results are compared to theoretical model predictions; they tend to rule out models linking hadron masses directly to the chiral condensate. PACS 25.75.-q; 12.38.Mh; 13.85.Qk     

On the possibility of excitonic phases at the semiconductor–semimetal transition

Motivated by recent experimental evidences for pressure-induced exciton condensation in intermediate valent Tm[Se,Te] compounds, we re-examine, adopting a BEC–BCS crossover scenario, the formation and stability of exciton insulator versus electron–hole liquid phases.     

Simultaneous determination of temperature and OH-concentration in flames using high-resolution laser-absorption spectroscopy

The development of tunable cw dye lasers with an extremely narrow bandwidth of <20 MHz and high stability in frequency and amplitude, which operate in the wavelength region from 2800 to 3150 Å by frequency doubling, has made possible the quantitative proof of the presence of OH with high-resolution laser-absorption spectroscopy.A method is presented, which allows the simultaneous measurement of temperature and OH-concentration by tuning across a suitable rotational line.     

Zur Kenntnis der anomalen Reaktionen bei der Aminostickstoffbestimmung. III. Die Anomalie einiger Aminosäuren

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde versucht, einen Einblick in die bisher ungeklärte anomale Reaktion verschiedener Aminosäuren mit salpetriger Säure zu gewinnen. Es wird wahrscheinlich gemacht, daß bei der Desaminierung der Aminosäuren nicht nur eine Hydroxyverbindung entsteht, sondern auch die entsprechende Nitrolsäure. Bei den -Aminosäuren wird dabei Kohlendioxyd in Freiheit gesetzt. Das Ausmaß der Bildung von Nitrolsäure hängt von der Konzentration der Nitritlösung ab; unter den Bedingungen der Aminostickstoffbestimmung entstehen etwa 30%. Die Nitrolsäure ist der Ausgangspunkt für die anomale Gasentwicklung. Bei Temperaturerhöhung reagiert nämlich die Isonitrosogruppe der Nitrolsäure mit salpetriger Säure, wobei unter Entwicklung von N₂ und N₂O die entsprechende Carbonylverbindung entsteht. Bei Tyrosin bilden sich noch zusätzliche Gasmengen infolge der anomalen Reaktion der Phenolgruppierung. Bei Cystin rührt das Mehrvolumen von der Reaktion der Disulfidgruppierung mit salpetriger Säure her.

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Summary This study reports on an effort to gain an insight into the previously unexplained anomalous reaction of various amino acids with nitrous acid. It is made probable that not only is a hydroxyl compound formed during the deamination but also the corresponding nitrolic acid. In the case of -amino acids, carbon dioxide is also liberated. The extent of the formation of nitrolic acid depends on the concentration of the nitrite solution; under the conditions of the amino nitrogen determination about 30% is produced. The nitrolic acid is the starting point for the anomalous production of gas. When the temperature is increased, the isonitroso group of the nitrolic acid reacts with nitrous acid, and the corresponding carbonyl compound results along with evolution of N₂ and N₂O. In the case of tyrosine, additional amounts of gas arise because of the anomalous reaction of the phenol grouping. In the case of cystine, the excess volume comes from the reaction of the disulfide grouping with nitrous acid.

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Résumé Dans le présent travail les auteurs cherchent à éclaircir les réactions anormales de différents aminoacides sur l'acide nitreux. Ils ont établi selon toute vraisemblance que lors de la désamination des aminoacides il ne se forme pas seulement une combinaison hydroxylée mais également l'acide nitrolique correspondant. Lors de cette réaction les -amino-acides libèrent de l'anhydride carbonique. L'importance de la formation d'acide nitrolique dépend de la concentration de la solution nitreuse; dans les conditions de la détermination de l'azote aminé il s'en forme environ 30%. L'acide nitrolique constitue le point de départ des dégagements gazeux anormaux. Lors d'une élévation de température le groupement isonitrosé de l'acide nitrolique réagit notamment avec l'acide nitreux en donnant naissance à la combinaison carbonylée correspondante avec dégagement simultané de N₂ et N₂O. Avec la tyrosine il se forme en outre des quantités de gaz supplémentaires dues à la réaction anormale du groupement phénol. Avec la cystine c'est la réaction du groupement disulfure sur l'acide nitreux qui donne lieu à un dégagement gazeux supplémentaire.

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7. Mitteilung: Anomalie der Sulfonsäureamide 1.     

Beitrag zur Analyse von Stibin

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Stibin beschrieben, das sich sowohl zur Analyse von SbH₃ in organischen Lösungsmitteln als auch zur Bestimmung von flüssigem oder festem SbH₃ eignet. Hierbei wird das Stibin mit überschüssigem Brom zu Sb^V oxydiert, danach mit SO₂ zu Sb^III reduziert und dieses oxydimetrisch mit Jod oder Bromat titriert.

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Summary A method is proposed for the determination of stibine, applicable to its solutions in organic solvents and also to the solvent-free liquid or solid substance. The procedure involves oxidation of SbH₃ with an excess of bromine to Sb^V, reduction to Sb^III with SO₂, and oxidimetric titration of the trivalent antimony with iodine or bromate.

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Herrn Professor Dr. C. Mahr zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.