Molecular deformation mechanisms of isotactic polypropylene in α‐ and β‐crystal forms by FTIR spectroscopy

The orientation behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) in α‐ and β‐crystal form was investigated by rheo‐optical Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This method enabled quantification of the degree of orientation as a feature of structural changes during uniaxial elongation in not only the crystalline phase but also the amorphous one. Molecular orientation mechanisms can be successfully derived from experimental results. Generally, three mechanisms were detected for iPP: (1) interlamellar separation in the amorphous phase, (2) interlamellar slip and lamellar twisting at small elongations, and (3) intralamellar slip at high elongations. The third mechanism was favored by α‐PP, whereas β‐PP favored the second mechanism, which, in fact, was responsible for the different mechanical properties of both materials at the macroscopic level. On the other hand, crystallization conditions may have significantly affected the amorphous orientation. Nevertheless, for both iPP types the chains in the amorphous phase always oriented less than did those in the crystalline phase. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4478–4488, 2004     

13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR and gauge-independent atomic orbital, coupled Hartree-Fock calculations of buspirone analogues. Part 2. Hydrochlorides and perchlorates of 1-arylpiperazine-4-alkylimides.

13C cross-polarization (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) solid state NMR spectra of hydrochlorides and perchlorates of buspirone analogues (2-5) were recorded. In the spectra for each compound, one set of signals appeared, in agreement with single crystal X-ray diffraction data indicating the presence of one molecule per crystal unit. The resonances of 2-5 hydrochlorides were assigned by comparison with the solution chemical shifts. For perchlorate 2b and diperchlorate 2c, the reasonable assignment of signals was made with the aid of the theoretical studies. Ab initio calculations of the carbon shieldings were performed by means of the GIAO-CHF method for two model systems: perchlorate and diperchlorate of quinoline-(N-methyl)piperazine. As no remarkable differences between carbon chemical shifts of hydrochlorides 3-5 in solid state and in solution were observed, it was concluded that in solution these compounds adopted the same conformation as in the solid state.     

Fast and continuous isolation of short-lived mercury isotopes from diluted sulphuric acid solution

The seconds living mercury isotopes have been isolated from nuclear reaction products arising in the bombardment of ¹⁴⁷Sm target with ⁴⁰Ar ions at the U-400 cyclotron of JINR-Dubna.     

A new approach to a global fit of the CKM matrix

We report on a new approach to a global CKM matrix analysis taking into account most recent experimental and theoretical results. The statistical framework (Rfit) developed in this paper advocates frequentist statistics. Other approaches, such as Bayesian statistics or the 95% CL scan method are also discussed. We emphasize the distinction of a model testing and a model dependent, metrological phase in which the various parameters of the theory are estimated. Measurements and theoretical parameters entering the global fit are thoroughly discussed, in particular with respect to their theoretical uncertainties. Graphical results for confidence levels are drawn in various one and two-dimensional parameter spaces. Numerical results are provided for all relevant CKM parameterizations, the CKM elements and theoretical input parameters. Predictions for branching ratios of rare K and B meson decays are obtained. A simple, predictive SUSY extension of the Standard Model is discussed. Received: 18 April 2001 / Published online: 10 August 2001     

Quantum phase transitions of fermionic atoms in an anisotropic triangular optical lattice

The effect of anisotropy caused by a confining potential on the properties of fermionic cold atoms in a triangular optical lattice is systematically investigated by using the dynamical cluster approximation combined with the continuous time quantum Monte–Carlo algorithm.The quantum phase diagrams which reflect the temperature–interaction relation and the competition between the anisotropic parameter and the interaction are presented with full consideration of the anisotropy of the system.Our results show that the system undergoes a transition from Fermi liquid to Mott insulator when the repulsive interaction reaches a critical value.The Kondo effect also can be observed in this system and the pseudogap is suppressed at low temperatures due to the Kondo effect.A feasible experiment protocol to observe these phenomena in an anisotropic triangular optical lattice with cold atoms is proposed,in which the hopping terms are closely related to the lattice confining potential and the atomic interaction can be adjusted via the Feshbach resonance.     

An analog of double electromagnetically induced transparency with extremely high group indexes

An asymmetric metamaterial exhibiting an analog of double electromagnetically induced transparency(EIT) in the middle-infrared region is reported.The metamaterial consists of two-layered arrays of Ushaped rings embedded in a medium,with the lower layer rotated by 90°.Our simulations demonstrate that both maximum group indexes are extremely high at the two EIT-like positions.The group index reaches about thrice the currently reported maximum value at the high-frequency EIT-like position.The transmittance at the two transparency positions also possesses extremely high Q factors,which is conducive to controlling the propagation of electromagnetic waves.     

Optimality Conditions and Stability Analysis via the Mordukhovich Subdifferential

This article shows that finite-dimensional multiplier rules, which are based on the limiting subdifferential, can be proved by Ekeland's variational principle and some basic calculus tools of the generalized differentiation theory introduced by B. S. Mordukhovich. Consequences of a limiting constraint qualification, which yields the normal form of the multiplier rules, stability and calmness of optimization problems, are investigated in detail.     

On a subclass of close-to-convex functions

We consider a subclass of the class of close-to-convex functions. We show the relationship between our class and the appropriate subordination. Moreover, we give the coefficient estimates and a sufficient condition for functions to belong to the class investigated. Finally, we obtain the distortion and the growth theorems. The results presented are a generalization of the results obtained by Gao and Zhou.