On improved regularity of weak solutions of some degenerate,Anisotropic elliptic systems

Summary We consider a (possibly) vector-valued function u: R^N, Rⁿ, minimizing the integral , 2-2/(n*1)<p<2, whereD _i u=u/x _i or some more general functional retaining the same behaviour, we prove higher integrability for Du: D₁ u,..., D_n–1 u L^p/(p-1) and D_nu L²; this result allows us to get existence of second weak derivatives: D(D₁ u),...,D(D_n–1u)L² and D(D_n u) L _p.This work has been supported by MURST and GNAFA-CNR.     

Multielectron Redox Chemistry of a Neutral,NIR‐Active,Indigo‐Pillared ReI‐Based Triangular Metalloprism

Self‐assembled, hexarhenium(I), triangular metalloprism compound [{(CO)₃Re(μ‐ 2 )Re(CO)₃}₃(μ₃‐ 1 )₂] ( 3 ) featuring three bis‐chelating pillarlike indigo dianions (μ‐ 2 ), each of which connects two fac‐Re(CO)₃ cores, which are interconnected by a tritopic N donor, that is, a 2,4,6‐tris(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (μ₃‐ 1 , tPyTz) ligand, has been synthesized in high yield and characterized. Metalloprism 3 exhibits a strong absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) region. The reversible, multielectron redox properties of the electrogenerated 3 ⁿ species, where n=3+, 0, 3?, 4?, 5?, 8?, in the visible and especially in the NIR region were investigated in THF solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry, EPR spectroscopy, and thin‐layer UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry (SEC). Stepwise, site‐specific electrochemical reductions lead to the formation of a series of highly stable ion (radical) species in which electrons associated with μ‐ 2 or μ₃‐ 1 components of the molecule can be clearly distinguished. An EPR investigation revealed interaction of unpaired electrons with the metal nuclei (^185,187Re, I=5/2) in the reduced intermediates. The framework has C₂ symmetry, and accidental degeneracies suffice. Detailed theoretical calculations by structure‐based DFT confirm that the triply degenerate HOMO has ≥70 % indigo character with a sizable dπ‐Re character, while the LUMO is dominated by the triply degenerate indigo ligands, and the LUMO+1 by doubly degenerate tPyTz ligands. A comparison of 3 and previously reported 2,2′‐bis‐benzimidazolate‐ (BiBzlm) or alkoxy‐pillared Re^I metalloprisms indicates a very low switching potential with a potential window of less than 1 V and reversibly accessible optical properties with higher stability of the intermediates. The properties exhibited by 3 appear to be due to the slight tuning of the bridging ligand from N,N^? to N,O^?.     

Effect of ZnO on phase emergence, microstructure and surface modifications of calcium phosphosilicate glass/glass-ceramics having iron oxide

The effect of ZnO on phase emergence and microstructure properties of glass and glass-ceramics with composition 25SiO₂-50CaO-15P₂O₅-(10 − x)Fe₂O₃-xZnO (where x = 0, 2, 5, 7 mol%) has been studied. They have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface modifications of these glass-ceramics in simulated body fluid have been studied using Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (FTIR), XPS and SEM. Results have shown a decrease in the fraction of non-bridging oxygen with increase in zinc oxide content. Emergence of crystalline phases in glass-ceramics at different heat treatment temperatures was studied using XRD. When glass is heat treated at 800 °C calcium phosphate, hematite and magnetite are developed as major phases in the glass-ceramics samples with ZnO up to 5 mol%. In addition to these, calcium silicate (Ca₃Si₂O₇) phase is also observed when glass is heat treated at 1000 °C. The microstructure of the glass-ceramics heat treated at 800 °C exhibits the formation of nano-size (40-50 nm) grains. On heat treatment at 1000 °C crystallites grow to above 50 nm size and more than one phase are observed in the microstructure. The formation of thin flake-like structure with coarse particles is observed at high zinc oxide concentration (x = 7 mol%). In vitro studies have shown the surface modifications and formation of Ca-P-rich layer on the glass-ceramics when immersed in simulated body fluids (SBF) for different durations. The bioactive response was found to depend on ZnO content.     

Highly Birefringent Microstructure Fiber with Zero Dispersion Wavelength at 0.64 Micrometer

Abstract

In this article, we have designed a microstructure fiber, which consists of elliptical air holes at the core region. We have investigated its optical properties using finite difference time domain method. The fundamental mode of the proposed microstructure fiber can induce very high birefringence. It has been realized that the value of birefringence is mainly decided by the shape of the air holes present in the first and second rings. The zero dispersion wavelengths of both fast and slow axes have been shifted to 0.64 micrometer. The proposed birefringent microstructure fiber may be useful in optical communication and sensors.     

Ion dynamics in NaBF<Subscript>4</Subscript> salt-complexed PVC–PEO blend polymer electrolytes: correlation between average ion hopping length and network structure

Electrical transport properties of a series of NaBF₄ salt-doped PVC–polyethylene oxide blend polymer electrolytes are studied using impedance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry are implemented to characterize the structural properties of the electrolytes. The characterization data clearly indicate that the interaction between the dopant salt and the polymer host substantially influences the overall crystallinity of the electrolytes. Experimental frequency-dependent complex conductivity and loss tangent data are analyzed using a physical model to extract separately the mobile ion concentration and ion mobility of the charge carriers and the type of their thermal activation. The average hopping length of free ions, which essentially controls the macroscopic ion transport within the electrolytes, is found to be strongly correlated to the network structure of the electrolytes. Both the dc conductivity and free ion mobility are observed to be strongly coupled with the segmental dynamics of blend polymer host over the entire range of ion content studied.     

Targeted synthesis of mu-oxo divanadium(V) compounds with asymmetry in coordination environments

Isovalent mu-oxo divanadium(V) compounds [L1VO(mu-O)VO(salen)] (1) and its bromo derivative [L2VO(mu-O)VO(salen)].CH3CN (2) (both H2L1 and H2L2 are tridentate dithiocarbazate-based ONS ligands) with ligands providing donor set and coordination number asymmetry in tandem have been synthesized for the first time; confirmations in favor of these unsymmetrical molecular structures have come from single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as from NMR (both 1H and 51V) spectroscopy.     

A total synthesis of the methyl glycoside of ganglioside GM(1)

The total synthesis of the methyl glycoside of GM(1) (1b) has been accomplished. The key step in the synthesis involves the sulfonamidoglycosidation reaction, which is used to create a beta-linkage leading to a GalNAc residue joined to the C4 hydroxyl group of a galactose unit of a C3 sialylated lactosyl moiety. The "proximal hydroxyl" directing effect, which has been postulated before, manifests in this context as well leading to the preponderant formation of the beta-glycoside. Together with asialo GM(1) and other substructures, the GM(1) methyl glycoside has been submitted for biological assays as potential ligands for bacterial and viral infection sites.     

Substituent effect on the emission behavior of thiazolidinedione derivatives in cationic and anionic micellar media

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) derivatives have been found to possess potent immunostimulatory properties as well as antiarthritic, antidiabetic and oncostatic activities. These compounds are free radical scavengers. Photophysical properties of the compounds have been studied in different aqueous micellar environments using steady state and time resolved emission spectroscopy. Appreciable hypsochromic shifts with enhancement in the fluorescence intensities have been observed in the ionic micellar media. The binding constants and energy changes during probe-micelle binding have been evaluated from relevant fluorescence data. Polarity of the microenvironment surrounding the probe molecules has been determined in the micellar systems.     

Thermal hysteresis of some important physical properties of nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles show thermal hysteresis with properties such as surface plasmon absorption, conductivity, and zeta potential. The direction of the incremental change in plasmon peak position and its extinction depend on the nature of surface conjugation. The thermal profile of a surface plasmon resonance spectrum for nanoparticles may serve as a signature for the associated small molecule or macromolecule on which it is seeded. The thermal responses of zeta potential and conductivity profile are found to be independent of the surface conjugation with the later being subjected to a phase transition phenomenon as revealed by a temperature criticality.     

Kinematical separation of α-n final-state interaction at 50 MeV incident energy

A kinematically complete experiment has been performed to study the α-n final-state interaction (FSI) in the α + d ↦α + p + n break-up reaction at 50 MeV incident energy for the alpha-particles. For this, we have chosen four pairs of correlation angles for the outgoing alpha and protons. These are ( θ_α = 18^°, θ_p = 42^°), ( θ_α = 20^°, θ_p = 45^°), ( θ_α = 22^°, θ_p = 42^°) and ( θ_α = 22^°, θ_p = 47^°), selected kinematically where the allowed phase spaces are in favor of the α-n final-state interaction. Our experimental data show strong α-n FSI in all the selected configurations. Also, the FSI is found to be stronger at the lower alpha-particle energy when two FSI peaks appear in the same configuration. Received: 17 June 2002 / Accepted: 3 October 2002 / Published online: 4 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: dey_s2001@yahoo.com; Present address: 445 Waupelani Drive, Apt. F3, State College, PA 16801, USA. Communicated by M. Gar?on