Effective Hubbard model for Zn-doped CuO2 plane

In the framework of the cell-perturbation method for the original p-d model an effective two-band Hubbard model for the CuO₂ plane with Zn impurities is derived. Zn impurities are modelled by Wannir oxygen one-hole states at vacant Cu sites. The model is based on the results of band structure calculations carried out within the local-density approximation. Further reduction to an extended t-J model shows a large ferromagnetic superexchange interaction between the Cu spin with the nearest virtual oxygen spin in the Zn cell. Received 17 November 1998     

On-line analysis of hydro-abrasive erosion of pre-cracked materials by acoustic emission

Acoustic Emission (AE) sensing technique is used as a tool for on-line monitoring of hydro-abrasive erosion (HAE) of pre-cracked multiphase materials. As reference materials, five types of concrete materials were used for the experimental study. Compression tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties and the failure behavior of these materials. Erosion parameters, such as abrasive particle velocity, local exposure time, and abrasive mass flow rate were varied during the experiments and AE-signals were acquired. The trends exhibited by the time domain and frequency domain AE-signals with change in process parameters and material properties were analyzed. The results indicate that acoustic emission signal is capable of revealing the different material removal mechanisms occurring in pre-cracked multiphase materials when subjected to hydro-abrasive erosion. Visualization studies performed on the erosion site provide more insight into the physics of the process and verify the observations made from the AE-signals. Finally, it is concluded that due to its capability to quantify the amount of material removed, AE_RMS could be considered as a parameter for monitoring the material removal process.     

Evaluation of double-tuned single-sided planar microcoils for the analysis of small 13C enriched biological samples using 1H-13C 2D heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy

Microcoils provide a cost-effective approach to improve detection limits for mass-limited samples. Single-sided planar microcoils are advantageous in comparison to volume coils, in that the sample can simply be placed on top. However, the considerable drawback is that the RF field that is produced by the coil decreases with distance from the coil surface, which potentially limits more complex multi-pulse NMR pulse sequences. Unfortunately, ¹H NMR alone is not very informative for intact biological samples due to line broadening caused by magnetic susceptibility distortions, and ¹H-¹³C 2D NMR correlations are required to provide the additional spectral dispersion for metabolic assignments in vivo or in situ. To our knowledge, double-tuned single-sided microcoils have not been applied for the 2D ¹H-¹³C analysis of intact ¹³C enriched biological samples. Questions include the following: Can ¹H-¹³C 2D NMR be performed on single-sided planar microcoils? If so, do they still hold sensitivity advantages over conventional 5 mm NMR technology for mass limited samples? Here, 2D ¹H-¹³C HSQC, HMQC, and HETCOR variants were compared and then applied to ¹³C enriched broccoli seeds and Daphnia magna (water fleas). Compared to 5 mm NMR probes, the microcoils showed a sixfold improvement in mass sensitivity (albeit only for a small localized region) and allowed for the identification of metabolites in a single intact D. magna for the first time. Single-sided planar microcoils show practical benefit for ¹H-¹³C NMR of intact biological samples, if localized information within ~0.7 mm of the 1 mm I.D. planar microcoil surface is of specific interest.     

Synthesis of a One‐dimensional Coordination Polymer Based on Copper(II) Nitrate and 1,2‐Bis(5‐monomethylhydrazinyl‐1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer based on copper(II) nitrate and 1,2‐bis(5‐monomethylhydrazinyl‐1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane as ligand was prepared. The thermal and physical stability was determined by differential scanning calorimetry and BAM methods. The polymer was investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and single X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, the ligand itself and the 1,2‐bis(1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane were characterized as energetic material by bomb calorimetric measurements along with calculations using the EXPLO5 software. Both compounds have moderate energetic properties along with a high thermal and physical stability. These findings render these compounds into promising environment friendly gas generating agents.     

Investigation of influence of tilt angle on mode dispersion in step-index plastic optical fibers

Effect of numerical aperture on mode dispersion and bandwidth is reported for commercially available step-index plastic optical fibers. For the first time, the functional relationship is given between dispersion and the “tilt-angle” describing the slant of the input/output face for a fiber terminated by a plane not perpendicular to the fiber axis. This tilt of a non-squarely terminated fiber may be intentional as in some biomedical spectroscopic sensors, or otherwise when exploiting the quick-interconnectivity potential of plastic fibers.     

Natural Surfactant-Based Emulsion Systems: The Influence of Common Pharmaceutical Excipients on Colloidal Structure and Physical Stability

There is a growing need for research into new skin- and environment-friendly surfactants. The aim of the study was to find out whether a combination of an alkylpolyglucoside natural surfactant with established pharmaceutical excipients could provide a solid pharmaceutical base with satisfied physical stability. The study was carried out in two phases: the first one focused on the colloidal structure of vehicles formulated with oils of different polarity and/or different costabilizer (lipophilic versus hydrophilic) and the second one evaluated vehicles' physical stability. A number of techniques were used (polarization, light, and transmission electron microscopy, pH, conductivity and thermogravimetric measurements, rheological analysis and cyclic temperature stress test). Natural surfactant's interaction with used excipients resulted in the formation of semisolid emulsion systems of different rheological profiles, stabilized predominantly by synergistic effects of lamellar liquid-crystalline (Lα) and complex lamellar gel (Lβ) phases. The type of used oil and costabilizer significantly influenced the colloidal structure of the vehicles, particularly in terms of water distribution mode and initial rheological performance as well as their physical stability. It was recommended that medium polar oils of ester type and lipophilic costabilizers, particularly long chain fatty alcohols, should be used in the formulation of stable alkylpolyglucoside-based topical vehicles.