Graded Cluster Expansion for Lattice Systems

In this paper we develop a general theory which provides a unified treatment of two apparently different problems. The weak Gibbs property of measures arising from the application of Renormalization Group maps and the mixing properties of disordered lattice systems in the Griffiths’ phase. We suppose that the system satisfies a mixing condition in a subset of the lattice whose complement is sparse enough namely, large regions are widely separated. We then show how it is possible to construct a convergent multi-scale cluster expansion.The authors acknowledge the support of Cofinanziamento MIUR.     

Noise properties of a NMR transceiver coil array

The use of multiple radiofrequency (RF) surface coil elements has applications in both fast parallel imaging and conventional imaging techniques. Through implementation of a simple magnetic decoupling network, 50 Omega matching can be achieved in both the transmitter and receiver chains, enabling the use of conventional RF power amplifiers and preamplifiers for transceive applications. Unlike phased array coil arrangements using low impedance preamplifiers for decoupling, the noise correlation between 50 Omega coils decoupled with discrete components has not been characterized. We have measured the dependence of coil quality factor (Q-factor) and noise correlation on coil separation and shown these quantities to be consistent with theoretical arguments, at least at 4 T (170 MHz). Our results suggest that a coil system for transmission and reception of NMR signals with 50 Omega coils can be built to take advantage of all the benefits of conventional array coils and with the added advantages of using conventional amplifiers.     

Identification and assay of wild-type and modified nucleoside mixtures by turbo ionspray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A method is presented which allows the identification and assay of a nucleoside in the presence of other analogues and homologues. The method is based on the conventional multiple reaction monitoring approach performed on the [M + H]+ ions of wild-type and modified nucleosides produced by the turbo ionspray ionization method on a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The accuracy of the quantitative determination relies on the evaluation of a response factor rho, which takes into account the kinetics of dissociation of the parent ions into the protonated [B + 2H]+ nucleobase ions. The evaluation of the absolute concentration of each analyte in the examined mixture does not require any previous chromatographic separation.     

Ternary complexes between cationic GdIII chelates and anionic metabolites in aqueous solution: an NMR relaxometric study

The (1)H and (17)O NMR relaxometric properties of two cationic complexes formed by Gd(III) with a macrocyclic heptadentate triamide ligand, L(1), and its Nmethylated analogue, L(2), have been investigated in aqueous media as a function of pH, temperature and magnetic field strength. The complexes possess two water molecules in their inner coordination sphere for which the rate of exchange has been found to be sensibly faster for the Nmethylated derivative and explained in terms of electronic effects (decrease of the charge density at the metal center) and perturbation of the network of hydrogen-bonded water molecules in the outer hydration sphere. The proton relaxivity shows a marked dependence from pH and decreases of about six units in the pH range 6.5 to 9.0. This has been accounted for by the displacement of the two water molecules by dissolved carbonate which acts as a chelating anion. The formation of ternary complexes with lactate, malonate, citrate, acetate, fluoride and hydrogenphosphate has been monitored by (1)H NMR relaxometric titrations at 20 MHz and pH 6.3 and the value of the affinity constant, K, and of the relaxivity of the adducts could be obtained. Lactate, malonate and citrate interact strongly with the complexes (log K > or =3.7) and coordinate in a bidendate mode by displacing both water molecules. Larger affinity constants have been measured for GdL(2). Acetate, fluoride and hydrogenphosphate form monoaqua ternary complexes which were investigated in detail with regard to their relaxometric properties. The NMR dispersion (NMRD) profiles indicate a large contribution to the relaxivity of the adducts from water molecules belonging to the second hydration shell of the complexes and hydrogen-bonded to the anion. A VT (17)O NMR study has shown a marked increase of the rate of water exchange upon binding which is explained by coordination of the anion in an equatorial site, thus leaving the water molecule in an apical position, more accessible for interactions with the solvent molecules of the second hydration shell which facilitate the exchange process.     

Regularity results for positive solutions of a semilinear elliptic system

Let , N≧3 be an open set. In this paper we study weak positive solutions of the following semilinear system where p≧1, q≧1, with pq>1, and u∈L^q(Ω), v∈L^p(Ω), and we give in particular some regularity results. Furthermore, we give some applications to the biharmonic equation. Entrata in Redazione il 25 febbraio 1999.     

Gaussian Limiting Behavior of the Rescaled Solution to the Linear Korteweg–de Vries Equation with Random Initial Conditions

We analyze the asymptotic behavior of the rescaled solution to the linear Korteweg–de Vries equation when the initial conditions are supposed to be random and weakly dependent. By means of the method of moments we prove the Gaussianity of the limiting process and we present its correlation function. The same technique is applied to the analysis of another third-order heat-type equation.     

Hardy inequalities with optimal constants and remainder terms

We show that the classical Hardy inequalities with optimal constants in the Sobolev spaces and in higher-order Sobolev spaces on a bounded domain can be refined by adding remainder terms which involve norms. In the higher-order case further norms with lower-order singular weights arise. The case being more involved requires a different technique and is developed only in the space .

     

New half sandwich Ru(II) coordination compounds for anticancer activity

With the aim of expanding the structure-activity relationship investigation, the series of Ru(II) half sandwich coordination compounds of the type [Ru([9]aneS3)(chel)(L)](n+) previously described by us (where [9]aneS3 is the neutral face-capping ligand 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, chel is a neutral or anonic chelating ligand, L = Cl(-) or dmso-S, n = 0-2) was extended to 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3). In addition, new neutral N-N, and anionic N-O and O-O chelating ligands, i.e. dach (trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), pic(-) (picolinate), and acac(-) (acetylacetonate), were investigated in combination with both [9]aneS3 and [9]aneN3. Overall, ten new half-sandwich complexes were prepared and fully characterized and their chemical behaviour in aqueous solution was established. The single-crystal X-ray structures of eight of them, including the versatile precursor [Ru([9]aneN3)(dmso-S)(2)Cl]Cl (9), were also determined. The results of in vitro antiproliferative tests performed on selected compounds against MDA-MB-231 human mammary carcinoma cells confirmed that, in this series, only compounds that hydrolyse the monodentate ligand at a reasonable rate show moderate activity, provided that the chelate ligand is a hydrogen bond donor.     

Mechanochemical synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanostructured electrode materials for Li ion batteries

We focus on the synthesis by ball milling and on the electrochemical characterization of nanocrystalline bimetallic and composite materials to be employed as anodes in Li ion batteries. Ni₃Sn₄ and Ni₃Sn₂ based compounds were obtained by ball milling of three different Ni–Sn mixtures. The properties of the resulting anodes for Li ion batteries were evaluated as a function of composition. Moreover, a biphasic system is presented, with CoSn₂ and CoSn type structures, arising from the synthesis of the Sn₃₁Co₂₈C₄₁ composition. When cycled in a Li cell, this material showed a high reversible specific capacity, about 450 mA h g⁻¹, and a very good electrochemical and structural stability, making it of interest for application purposes. Contribution to the Fall Meeting of the European Materials Research Society, Symposium D: 9th International Symposium on Electrochemical–Chemical Reactivity of Metastable Materials, Warsaw, 17th–21st September, 2007.