Shifting the Superparamagnetic Limit of Nanosized Copper Iron Spinel

In this paper we analyze trend of EFG values measured at Cd impurity in a group of semiconducting delafossites with chemical formula CuBO₂ (B = Al, Fe, Cr, Nd). We conclude that this trend reveals one of the most subtle details in electronic spectrum of the compounds: if impurity states are formed within or out of the band gap. In CuAlO₂ and CuFeO₂ the Cd EFG exhibits larger value than in CuCrO₂ and CuNdO₂, when Cd substitutes the Cu atom. This occurs because in the first two compounds the Cd forms shallow band within the gap, and in the second two compounds does not. When Cd occupies the B position it exhibits almost the same EFG in all delafossites. In this case, Cd does not form its states within the gap in none of the compounds. To arrive to these conclusions we analyzed and calculated various systems (Cd-doped CuAlO₂ and CuCrO₂ compounds, fictitious molecules), using the FP-LAPW method.     

Formation, isolation and characterization of an AB-biaryl atropisomer of oritavancin

Oritavancin is a semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotic which is structurally related to vancomycin. When oritavancin bisphosphate is dried in vacuo with heat, a new compound forms. This new compound is stable only in the solid state and reverts to oritavancin in solution. Highly enriched samples of this compound were obtained by preparative HPLC and the structure of this compound was elucidated by using one and two-dimensional (¹H and ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with computer-assisted molecular modeling. It has been determined that oritavancin adopts a conformation similar to that of vancomycin in solution, while the new compound is the unnatural R-AB-biaryl atropisomer of oritavancin. This is the first observation and isolation of an AB-biaryl atropisomer in an intact member of the vancomycin family of glycopeptide antibiotics.     

A global existence theorem for the general coagulation–fragmentation equation with unbounded kernels

In this article an existence theorem is proved for the coagulation–fragmentation equation with unbounded kernel rates. Solutions are shown to be in the space X⁺ = {c∈L¹: ∫ (1 + x)∣c(x)∣dx < ∞} whenever the kernels satisfy certain growth properties and the non-negative initial data belong to X⁺. The proof is based on weak L¹ compactness methods applied to suitably chosen approximating equations.     

Enumeration of Cryptosporidium spp. in water with US EPA method 1622, USA

The occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum or other pathogenic Cryptosporidium species in water must be known in order to assess risk and determine the treatment needed to reduce Cryptosporidium oocysts to acceptable levels in finished drinking water. Because Cryptosporidium oocyst occurrence may be sparse, methods must concentrate a large volume of water and correctly identify oocysts in the concentrate. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information Collection Rule (ICR) protozoan method gives low and variable recoveries of Cryptosporidium oocysts, making risk assessment difficult. Therefore, a method giving better oocyst recovery and more consistent results was needed. Method 1622 was developed with existing materials and procedures, and improvements were made in filtration, cleanup, and detection. Absolute porosity filters were used, with cleanup by immunomagnetic separation and detection by direct fluorescent antibody stain with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining for additional cell structures. Both the level and consistency of oocyst recovery were improved compared to recovery with the ICR method.