Magnetic-Field-Dependent Electronic Relaxation of Gd3+ in Aqueous Solutions of the Complexes [Gd(H2O)8]3+, [Gd(propane-1,3-diamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate)(H2O)2]−, and [Gd(N,N′-bis[(N-methylcarbamoyl)methyl]-3-azapentane-1,5-diamine-3,N,N′-triacetate)(H2O)] of interest in magnetic-resonance imaging

EPR Spectra have been measured for aqueous solutions of a series of Gd³⁺ complexes at variable temperature and a range of magnetic fields; S-band (0.14 T), X-band (0.34 T), Q-band (1.2 T), and 2-mm-band (5.0 T). The major contribution to the observed line widths is magnetic-field-dependent and is interpreted as being due to the modulation of the zero-field splitting produced by distortion of the complexes from perfect symmetry. The transverse and longitudinal relaxation matrices for an ⁸S ion with such an interaction have been calculated using Redfield theory with vector-coupling methods, and diagonalised numerically to obtain relaxation rates and intensities for the degenerate transitions which contribute to the multiplet. The observed line width, which is inversely proportional to the magnetic field at low temperatures, is best described by the intensity-weighted mean transverse relaxation time for the four transitions with non-zero intensity. A least-squares fit of the data yields the square of the zero-field splitting tensor, Δ², and a correlation time, τ_v, with activation energy, E_v. The physical significance of these parameters and the extent of validity of the theoretical approach are considered. The parameters are used to predict the magnetic-field dependence of the longitudinal and transverse electronic relaxation times, which are discussed in the context of their relevance to ¹H-NMR relaxivity.     

Book Reviews

Unsigned book reviews are by the Book Review Editor.     

Nanophotonics and nanometrology with planar X-ray waveguide-resonator

The mechanism of X-ray waveguide-resonance propagation or the radiation superstream model, which can become the ground of X-ray nanophotonics, is discussed briefly. Some attention is devoted to features consideration of the simplest devices characterized by the waveguide-resonance transportation of X-ray beams. The experimental data showing the user possibilities of a simplest waveguide-resonators application for diffractometry are presented. We discuss the main reasons to improve the metrological characteristics for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analytical method in case when the target exciting beam is formed by a waveguide-resonator. Some problems appearing during the waveguide-resonator application are formulated.     

Remarks on global approximate controllability for the 2-D Navier–Stokes system with Dirichlet boundary conditions

This Note deals with the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes system. In this context, we prove a result concerning its global approximate controllability by means of boundary controls. To cite this article: S. Guerrero et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 343 (2006).     

Atmospheric aerosol limb scanning based on the lunar eclipses photometry

The work is devoted to the analysis of the surface photometric observations of two total lunar eclipses in 2004. The lunar surface relative brightness distribution inside the umbra was used to retrieve the vertical distribution of aerosol extinction of the solar radiation expanding by a tangent path and its dependence on the location at the limb of the Earth. The upper altitude of troposphere aerosol layer was estimated for different latitude zones. The correlation between additional aerosol extinction in the upper troposphere and cyclones was investigated.     

The central limit theorem under the absence of extremal absolute order statistics

One finds conditions for the relation are the absolute order statistics for a repeated sample from a symmetric distribution.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova AN SSSR, Vol. 142, pp. 59–67, 1985.     

The spectral measure of a Jacobi matrix in terms of the Fourier transform of the perturbation

We study the spectral properties of Jacobi matrices. By combining Killip's technique [12] with the technique of Killip and Simon [13] we obtain a result relating the properties of the elements of Jacobi matrices and the corresponding spectral measures. This theorem is a natural extension of a recent result of Laptev-Naboko-Safronov [17]. The author thanks Sergei Naboko for useful discussions and Barry Simon for pointing out the conjecture.     

1,1‐Organoboration of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne with trimethylsilyl‐ and dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes: organometallic‐substituted allenes

The reactions of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne, Me₃Sn–C?C–SnMe₃ ( 4 ), with trimethylsilyl‐ or dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes 1 – 3 afford organometallic‐substituted allenes 5 , 6 and 8 , 9 in high yield. In the case of (E)‐2‐trimethylsilyl‐3‐diethylboryl‐2‐pentene ( 1) , a butadiene derivative 7 could be detected as an intermediate prior to rearrangement into the allene. All reactions were monitored by ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and the products were characterized by an extensive NMR data set (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2,12‐Dichloro‐10,20‐diphenyl‐5,7,15,17‐tetrahydro‐6H,16H‐dibenzo[d,l][1,9,2,6,10,14]dioxotetraazacyclohexadecine‐6,16‐dione dioxane solvate as a potential macrocyclic hexadentate ligand

The macrocyclic title compound crystallizes as a dioxane solvate, C₃₀H₂₂Cl₂N₄O₄·C₄H₈O₂, with two independent formula units in the unit cell. The observed syn conformation is controlled by both intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds and intermolecular C—H...π interactions. The relative macrocyclic inner bore is estimated to be 4.19 Å. In the crystal structure, molecules form dimers via intermolecular C—H...π interactions, and these dimers are, in turn, linked to form columns along the a axis by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Both X‐ray diffraction analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the macrocycle possesses very high flexibility. This property, as well as the presence of six donor atoms accessible for coordination, makes the title macrocycle a very promising ligand for complexation with the majority of transition metals.     

Effect of diatomite on combustion of poly(vinyl chloride) plastisols

The effect of diatomite on the inflammability, combustibility, and smoke-forming ability of poly(vinyl chloride)-based plastisols has been studied. A substantial decrease in these characteristics takes place upon the introduction of 2–3% diatomite as compared with 10–15% for vermiculite and phlogopite fillers. This phenomenon is associated with a high viscosity of the plastisol melt filled with diatomite and its better foaming and carbonization, along with the formation of a high-porosity coke demonstrating heat-shielding behavior. The use of diatomite also improves the mechanical properties of the tested material.