Surface light-scattering at the air-liquid interface: from newtonian to viscoelastic polymer solutions

The dynamics of the liquid-air interface of aqueous solutions of a tensioactive triblock copolymer (Pluronic F-68) has been studied using surface quasielastic light scattering over a broad range of concentrations and temperatures. Ancillary surface tension and bulk rheometry data have been obtained for the same system. The results show that the classical theoretical spectrum for monolayers on a Newtonian fluid can be applied only for concentrations below 4.10(-2) mM. For concentrations above c = 14 mM a clear peak centered at zero frequency appears in the spectrum. This feature is incompatible with the classical theoretical spectrum. The SQELS spectra have been described in terms of the theory of Wang and Huang [Wang, C. H.; Huang, Q. R. J. Chem. Phys. 1997, 107, 5898] considering that the loss modulus of the concentrated solutions shows the existence of two relaxation modes even at low frequencies. The theory is able to explain the existence of a peak centered at zero frequency in the spectra, and the theoretical spectra point out the existence of an elastic peak together with the capillary one. There is a reasonable agreement between the relaxation times and the product Gtau obtained from the fits of the SQELS spectra to the theory of Wang and Huang and those obtained from bulk rheology.     

Phase transition in Bi<Subscript>8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>6</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>27</Subscript> multiferroic ceramics

The polycrystalline Bi₈Fe₆Ti₃O₂₇ compound was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary structural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of a single-phase compound in an orthorhombic crystal system at room temperature. The elemental content of the compound was analyzed by EDAX microanalysis. Microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the compound has well defined grains, which are distributed uniformly throughout the surface of the pellet sample. Detailed studies of temperature-dependent dielectric response at various frequencies show dielectric anomalies at 380, 389 and 403°C for 10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz respectively. The hysteresis loop observed by applying an electric field of 12 kV/cm on the poled sample with smaller remanent polarization supports the existence of ferroelectricity in this material. The value of d₃₃ of the compound was found to be 19 pC/N.      

The cumbiasins, structurally novel diterpenes possessing intricate carbocyclic skeletons from the West Indian sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae (Bayer)

From the hexane extract of the West Indian gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae, two diterpenes, cumbiasins A (1) and B (2), having a novel tetracyclic carbon skeleton named cumbiane, have been isolated. In addition, we have isolated cumbiasin C (3), a ring cleavage product of cumbiasin B that possesses an unusual carbocyclic framework named seco-cumbiane. The structures and relative configurations of metabolites 1-3 were elucidated by interpretation of overall spectral data, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREI-MS and HRFAB-MS). The carbocyclic skeletons of the cumbiasins are unprecedented and represent new classes of C20 rearranged diterpenes. Cumbiasins A and B display mild in vitro anti-tuberculosis activity.     

On the supersingular reduction of elliptic curves

Let a∈Q and denote byE _a the curvey ² = (x ² + l)(x + a). We prove thatE _a(F_p) is cyclic for infinitely many primesp. This fact was known previously only under the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis. Research partially supported by NSERC grant A9418.     

Thorium(IV) and zirconium(IV) complexes of oxygen donor ligands,part 12. Thorium(IV) complexes of monoN-oxides of 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

Summary Crystalline thorium(IV) chelates with monoN-oxides of 2,2-bipyridine (bipyNO) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phenNO), ThX₄ · 2L (X = Cl, Br, NO₃ or NCS) and ThX₄ · 3L (X = I or ClO₄, and I = bipyNO or phenNO) have been synthesised and characterized on the basis of i.r. spectra, molar conductance, molecular weights, t.g.a. and d.t.a. data. All the complexes are weakly diamagnetic and contain bipyNO and phenNO bonded to thorium(IV) through nitrogen and oxygen. The coordination number of thorium(IV) varies from six to twelve depending on the nature of the anions.Author on leave from L. R. Postgraduate College, Sahibabad (Ghaziabad) and to whom all correspondence should be directed.     

Total synthesis of obtusenol

The total synthesis of obtusenol ($\text{9}$), a dibrominated sesquiterpene isolated from the red alga $\text{Laupencia obtusa}$, has been achieved by a three-step synthesis starting from commercial farnesol.     

On Artin's conjecture

Let $\text{F}$ be a family of number fields which are normal and of finite degree over a given number field K. Consider the lattice L(scF) spanned by all the elements of $\text{F}$. The generalized Artin problem is to determine the set of prime ideals of K which do not split completely in any element H of L(scF), H≠K. Assuming the generalized Riemann hypothesis and some mild restrictions on $\text{F}$, we solve this problem by giving an asymptotic formula for the number of such prime ideals below a given norm. The classical Artin conjecture on primitive roots appears as a special case. In another case, if $\text{F}$ is the family of fields obtained by adjoining to $\text{Q}$ the q-division points of an elliptic curve E over $\text{Q}$, the Artin problem determines how often E($\text{F}$_p) is cyclic. If E has complex multiplication, the generalized Riemann hypothesis can be removed by using the analogue of the Bombieri-Vinogradov prime number theorem for number fields.     

Re-estimation of force constant ratio in the Fe-Ni system

The temperature variation of second order Doppler shift of ⁵⁷Fe embedded as a dilute impurity in Ni host has been calculated by incorporating both the force constant change and the mass change at the site of the impurity. Comparison of the calculations with available measurements of second order Doppler shift gives definite evidence for the change of force constant λ′/λ. It appears that λ′/λ lies in the range 2·1–2·7 around the defect site. The analysis of the data in the high temperature limit further confirms this inference.