All-oxide superconductor/ferroic hybrids

This short review focuses on interface interactions in hybrid heterostructures which combine high-temperature superconductors, ferromagnets and ferroelectrics. We specifically examine two different phenomena. One of them is electric-field effects at superconductor/ferroelectric interfaces, which allow a nonvolatile, reconfigurable nanoscale modulation of superconductivity. The second phenomenon is the proximity effect at superconductor/ferromagnet interfaces. We focus in particular on the penetration of superconducting correlations into half-metal ferromagnets. For both phenomena, an overview is given on materials’ issues, fabrication techniques, physical mechanisms and related devices.     

Solvent effect on the mean dimensions of model polyelectrolytes

The influence of the polarisation of the solvent on the mean dimensions of model polyelectrolytes is incorporated by solving numerically the Poisson equation for each conformation of the chain embedded in a continuous dielectric media. The mean squared end to end distance reveals the screening effect introduced by the charges induced within the dielectric. The highest departure from continuous dielectric models occurs at intermediate values of the Coulomb coupling strength.     

Optical behaviour of pH detectors based on sol-gel technology

Acidity is an outstanding parameter that affect the correct preservation of most part of materials engaged in artworks and heritage objects. In spite of the new generation of advanced analytical devices, the conservation/heritage management sector claims for some kind of simple, robust and low-cost device to monitor environmental acidity wherever necessary. The purpose of this paper is to offer a suitable alternative for the estimation of environmental acidity by means of detectors to be used without electrodes, solutions, pH meters, wires or batteries.Doped sol-gel thin coatings have been used as transductors for producing pH detectors. The coatings consist of a partially densified polysiloxane network and an organic dye sensitive to pH changes. The siloxane network behaves as a host for immobilisation of the dye molecules, in such a way that chemical-optical properties of the dye are preserved as far as possible. The transductors were applied on common glass substrates by dipping. Further heat-treatment allows the coating partial densification.The optical response of the detectors was analysed by VIS absorption spectroscopy, since a change of colour took place when the detectors were submitted to different pH buffered solutions. With the aim to investigate their optical behaviour as a function of pH, several experimental measurements were undertaken: absorption intensity; maximum spectral wavelength; colour coordinates; colour purity percentages. Time response and memory effect were also studied. The detector operation conditions for monitoring environmental acidity both indoor and outdoor are discussed.     

A level set method for 3D low frequency electromagnetic imaging with applications in geophysical prospecting

We propose a novel shape reconstruction technique for controlled source 3D low frequency electromagnetic induction tomography which uses a level set representation of the shapes. The main application which we have in mind in this paper is geophysical prospecting, in particular the monitoring of reservoir flooding processes in secondary oil recovery and the investigation of conductive geophysical structures at a depth of up to a few hundred metres. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Linear relations in time series models. I

A multiple time series is defined as the sum of an autoregressive process on a line and independent Gaussian white noise on a hyperplane that goes through the origin and intersects the line at a single point. This process is a multiple autoregressive time series in which the regression matrices satisfy suitable conditions. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimates of the line and the autoregression coefficients can be obtained as the values that minimize a given function, and that the remaining maximum likelihood estimates can be computed as simple functions of the first ones. It is also shown that the maximum likelihood estimates are equivariant with respect to the group of bijective linear transformations.     

The Congruences of Clausen-von Staudt and Kummer for Half-integral Weight Eisenstein Series

We extend sharp forms of the classical uncertainty principle to the context of commutative hypergroups. This hypergroup setting includes Gelfand pairs, Riemannian symmetric spaces, and locally compact abelain groups. For some Gelfand pairs our inequalities will be sharper than those in a recent paper by J. A. WOLF.     

Reactions of excited states of phenoxazin-3-one dyes with amino acids

The interaction with amino acids of the excited states of the N-oxide resazurin and its deoxygenation product resorufin, has been studied in aqueous solution at pH 7.5. Steady-state and time-resolved studies show that the fluorescence is quenched by amino acids. Complexation of the dyes in the ground state with aromatic amino acids was also observed. The singlet quenching is attributed to electron transfer from the amino acids to the excited dye based on the dependence of the bimolecular rate constants with the ionization potential of quenchers. Flash photolysis experiments allowed determination of the quenching rate constants for the triplet deactivation of dyes by several amino acids, as well as the characterization of the transients formed in the process. These data show that the triplet is also deactivated by an electron transfer process. However, the deactivation of the N-oxide dye by tryptophan can be described by a hydrogen atom transfer. The protolytic dissociation constants of the dye radical ions are reported. The irradiation of rezasurin in the presence of amino acids leads to deoxygenation of the dye to give resorufin. This process involves the triplet excited state of resazurin and is efficient only in the presence of amino acids containing the -SH group.     

Lattice polytopes,Hecke operators,and the Ehrhart polynomial

Let P be a simple lattice polytope. We define an action of the Hecke operators on E(P), the Ehrhart polynomial of P, and describe their effect on the coefficients of E(P). We also describe how the Brion–Vergne formula for E(P) transforms under the Hecke operators for nonsingular lattice polytopes P.      

Patination of historical stained windows lead cames from different European locations

Lead patination is a well-known phenomenon that occurs when lead is exposed to the atmosphere. A thin film mainly composed of insoluble lead salts is then formed on its surface, protecting lead against further corrosion. A study of the superficial patination of an ensemble of historical stained glass windows lead cames from different European locations (Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain and Poland) and different chronologies (from 13th to 20th centuries) is reported in this paper. The main goals of the research were to characterise, both morphological and chemically, the patinas formed on their surfaces and to assess the weathering factors influencing the development of these patinas. Conventional optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the composition of the patinas. The resulting data have proved to be very useful in establishing the degree of advance of the patination process, which seems to be directly influenced by the environmental conditions to which the lead cames were exposed rather than by chronology of the samples. The results have also provided outstanding data to make decisions in conservation/restoration issues of such historical materials.     

Conversion from a π to a σ structure on replacing oxygen by sulphur: an ESR study

The radical cations of 1,3-dioxacylohexane and 1,3-dioxacyclopentane have π-structures involving delocalisation within the [-OCH₂O-]⁺ unit with high spin-density on the CH₂ group, whilst, in complete contrast, the corresponding sulphur derivatives have a weak σ bond between the two sulphur atoms, the unpaired electron being in the σ^* orbital with negligible spin-density on the CH₂ group.