On the best bound of the minimal twisted height of linear subspaces

Let V be a vector space over a global field k, g an element of the adele group and H_g the twisted height defined on the k-subspaces of V . We show that the square root of the generalized Hermite-Rankin constant for k gives the best upper bound of the function , where runs over all m-dimensional k-subspaces of V and runs over all n-dimensional k-subspaces of . Received: 17 June 2005     

Structural and photo-luminescence properties of nanocrystalline silicon films deposited at low temperature by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) films were prepared by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method at a deposition temperature below 220 °C with different dynamic pressures (P_g), hydrogen flow rates ([H₂]), and RF powers, using SiH₄/H₂/SiF₄ mixtures. We examined the photo-luminescence (PL) spectra and the structural properties. We observed two stronger and weaker PL spectra with a peak energies around E_PL = 1.8 and 2.2-2.3 eV, respectively, suggesting that the first band was related to nanostructure in the films, and another band was associated with SiO-related bonds. The nc-Si films with rather large PL intensity was obtained for high [H₂] and/or low pressure values, However, effects of [H₂] are likely to be different from those of P_g. The average grain size (δ) and the crystalline volume fraction (ρ) at first rapidly increase, and then slowly increase, with increasing P_g. Other parameters exhibited opposite behaviors from those of δ or ρ. These results were discussed in connection with the changes in the PL properties with varying the deposition conditions.     

Stimuli-responsive properties of N-isopropylacrylamide-based ultrathin hydrogel films prepared by photo-cross-linking

To develop stimuli-responsive ultrathin polymer films on a solid substrate, a novel photo-cross-linkable polymer with both temperature- and pH-responsive properties was prepared. The photoreactive 4-aminobenzophenone (BP) was introduced onto the side groups of poly(N-isopropylaclylamide-co-2-carboxyisopropylaclylamide) [poly(NIPAAm-co-CIPAAm)]. This copolymer was designed for highly random sequences of comonomers. After the formation of spin-coated polymer films on a solid substrate, UV-light irradiation started the cross-linking reaction. The spin-coating processes and stability of the polymer films were quantitatively monitored by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and the thickness was estimated using an atomic force microscope (AFM). These measurements confirmed the formation of a very plain polymer film, and the film thickness was precisely controlled by the concentration of the polymer solution used for spin coating. Moreover, the obtained films showed a high stability due to the cross-liking reaction and UV irradiation. Cyclic voltammetry using potassium ferricyanide revealed that the ions could permeate the photo-cross-linked ultrathin polymer films. The permeability of the ultrathin hydrogel films was dramatically changed by varying the pH and temperature of the aqueous media. These observations suggest that the preparation of isopropylacrylamide-based stimuli-responsive ultrathin hydrogel films is possible.     

Photoelectron emission and XPS studies of real iron surfaces subjected to scratching in air,water, and organic liquids

The influence of temperature and surface overlayer on the photoelectron emission from scratched real iron surfaces was investigated using thermally assisted photoelectron emission (TAPE) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The scratching was conducted with a diamond cutter in seven atmospheres. The intensity of TAPE as a function of temperature, called glow curve, was measured in the range 25–339 °C using a Geiger counter under ultraviolet irradiation at 210 nm. The temperature was scanned in two cycles (Up1 and Down1, and Up2 and Down2). The XPS measurements were carried out at 25 °C and after TAPE measurements at 200 and 339 °C. The photoelectron emission intensity at 40 °C in the Up1 scan increased in the order of air < water ≈ methanol ≈ cyclohexane < ethanol < benzene < acetone, and then each glow curve exhibited a gradual increase with temperature through a broad peak. It was found that the dependence of the emission intensity in the Up1 scan on the oxygen component ratio, Z_O = O^2?/(OH^? + O^2?) and the percentage of the Fe metal and FeOOH components of the Fe3p spectra for the atmospheres greatly differed. Additionally, the glow curve in the Up1 scan was completely different from that in the other scans. It was proposed that the photoelectron emission in the Up1 scan originates from not only the base metal but also the surface overlayer having trapped electrons and is strongly influenced by the acid–base interaction of the surface hydroxyl groups with the liquids molecules. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Usefulness of Mesoporous Silica as a Template for the Preparation of Bundles of Bi Nanowires with Precisely Controlled Diameter Below 10 nm

The reduction of the diameter of Bi nanowires below 10 nm has been an important target because of the theoretical prediction with regard to significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance by size reduction. In this study, we have demonstrated the usefulness of mesoporous silica with tunable pore size as a template for the preparation of thin Bi nanowires with diameters below 10 nm. Bi was deposited within the templates through a liquid phase deposition using hexane and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane as a solvent and reducing agent, respectively. Bundles of thin Bi nanowires with non‐crystalline frameworks were successfully obtained after the template removal. The diameter was precisely controlled between about 6 nm and 9 nm. The judicious choices of mesoporous silica and deposition conditions are critical for the successful preparation. The reliable formation of such thin Bi nanowires reported here opens up exciting new possibilities.     

The optimization for cyclization reaction of 2-(2-carbomethoxyethynyl)aniline derivatives and formal synthesis of pyrroloquinoline quinone and its analogue utilizing a sequential coupling-cyclization reaction

The reaction conditions for the Pd-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2-(2-carbomethoxyethynyl)aniline derivatives were investigated. The amounts of Pd(PPh₃)₄, methyl propiolate, and ZnBr₂ could be significantly reduced compared with those reported in our preliminary publication by careful tuning of the solvent and the reaction temperature. In addition to the above results, formal syntheses of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and its analogue from 2-amino-5-nitrophenol using a Pd-complex-catalyzed sequential coupling-cyclization reaction between methyl propiolate and 2-iodoaniline derivatives are described.     

Re-entrant volume phase transition of hydrogel membrane of microcapsule

Re-entrant volume phase transition of hydrogel wall membrane of microcapsules (MC) was first observed using MC suspensions consisting of poly (L-lysine-alt-terephthalic acid) wall and aqueous inner and outer solutions with different pHs. To analyze the dynamics of the re-entrant phase transition, we extended the theory for the swelling and the shrinking dynamics of the microcapsule gel [T. Narita, T. Yamamoto, D. Suzuki, T. Dobashi, Langmuir 19 (2004) 4051]. In the theory, the microcapsule size and the force constant for the driving force which gives rise to the size relaxation were chosen as the thermodynamic variables. The time course of the cross-sectional area of the microcapsules fitted well to the theoretical equations, and the time constants determined as the fitting parameters were discussed in terms of the force constant relaxation and the size relaxation.     

Accurate mass measurement in nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry by alternate switching of high voltage between sample and reference sprayers

An electrospray dual sprayer, which generates separate sample and reference sprays by alternately switching the high voltage between the two sprayers, is described. The technique permits accurate mass measurements in nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to be obtained using a quadrupole/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF). Similar to the method employed with a dual ESI source (Wolff JC et al., Anal. Chem. 2001; 73: 2605), the two sprays are orthogonal with respect to each other, but can be independently sampled without any baffle between these sprays. The reference sprayer is used in the original configuration of the ESI source and was optimized for a 1-2 muL/min flow, whereas the sample sprayer can be either a conventional glass capillary or a borosilicate tip of the type used for nano-ESI. Both sprayers can be positioned close to the cone so as to give maximum ion currents. The sample and reference sprays are independently generated by raising the potentials on the sample and reference sprayers to 1.4 and 3.0 kV, respectively; the high voltages can be rapidly turned on and off in ca. 1 ms. A nano-ESI-MS or nano-flow LC/ESI-MS experiment using a Q-TOF coupled with the above system gave mass accuracies within 3 ppm for measurements of ions up to m/z 1000 using subpicomole samples.     

Production of (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidic acid methyl ester using an emulsion bioreactor containing lipase fromSerratia marcescens

An emulsion bioreactor for production of (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) glycidic acid methyl ester ([-]MPGM) from a racemic mixture ([±]MPGM) using the lipase fromSerratia marcescens has been proposed. Kinetics of hydrolyzing reaction and purification of (-)MPGM from the reaction mixture were investigated to provide a basis for industrial application of this bioreactor. The hydrolyzing reaction in the bioreactor proceeded at a rate that was first order in substrate concentration. The reaction rate was affected by a stirring speed and the ratio of the aqueous phase containing lipase to the toluene phase containing substrate. Phase separation after the enzymatic reaction was accomplished by addition of surfactant to the reaction mixture, and crystalline (-)MPGM with a chemical purity of 100% and optical purity of 100% enantiomeric excess was obtained in a high yield of 40–43% by concentration of the toluene solution.