Topological excitations vs intergranular phase — coherence in a HTSC Y0.5Sm0.5Ba2Cu3O7 ceramics

This paper reports a detailed study of the electrical transport properties of good quality superconducting Y_0.5Sm_0.5Ba₂Cu₃O₇ ceramic samples. Analyses of the dependence of resistance on temperature, the relations current-voltage and the magnetoresistance allows to identify:a) the mean field critical temperature (T _CO =93.73±0.01 K);b) a power law behaviorVI atT _CO . The exponent jumps abruptly from 1 to 3, at a certain temperatureT _C =93.276±0.005 K;c) an exponential inverse root-square temperature dependence of the resistivity in theT _{C–T CO} temperature range. These features, typically observed when topological excitations sets in two dimensional systems, can also be interpreted as a signature of a percolation process and a transition towards intergranular phase coherence. We analyze and discuss the relevance of both models to account for the experimental data.     

Experimental measurement of chaotic attractors in solid mechanics(a))

In this paper a review is given of experimental techniques in chaotic dynamics of solid mechanical systems based on modern ideas of nonlinear dynamics. These methods include Poincare maps, double Poincare sections, symbol dynamics, and fractal dimension. The physical problems discussed include nonlinear elastic beams, forced motion of a string, flow-induced vibration of a rod, forced motions of a magnetic pendulum, and rigid body dynamics of a magnet and high-temperature superconductor.     

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry of transition metal complexes of thio- and selenosemicarbazones of 2-acetylpyridines

Summary Californium-252 plasma desorption mass spectra were recorded for complexes of the anions of various thio-and seleno-semicarbazones of 3-acetylpyridines(1–4) with the transition metal ions iron(III) and cobalt(II). Positive ion spectra gave clear evidence of the cation present and fragmentation with loss of ligands or parts of ligands was straightforward. Negative ion spectra likewise provided evidence of the intact anion except with tetracoordinate metal halide systems [MX₄]^– which lost one or more halide atoms. Evidence of fragmentation of the ligand and recombination of the fragments with the metal ion was also observed in the negative ion mode. Spectra were used to revise the structure of a complex previously reported as [FeLCl₂]⁽¹⁾ to [FeL₂]⁺[FeCl₄]^–.     

Esr of pterin and lumazine radicals in solution

Cationic tetrahydrolumazine radicals and cationic tetrahydropterin radicals were detected by electron spin resonance when 5-alkyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrolumazines and 5-alkyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterins were oxidized with hydrogen peroxide in formic acid. The hyperfine interactions of both types of radicals are essentially the same.Two consecutive radical species were observed during the oxidation of 3,5,8-trialkyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrolumazines in formic acid. They were identified as cationic tetrahydrolumazine radicals and cationic dihydrolumazine radicals.The ESR spectra of neutral trihydro- and monohydro-lumazine radicals, which have not been obtained before, were recorded during the oxidation of 5-alkyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrolumazines in chloroform. Starting from 5-butyl-1,3-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrolumazine three different radicals were observed.The spectra were interpreted in terms of hyperfine coupling constants and nuclear spins of the atoms involved.     

The glass transition time scale and configurational entropy in polymers: an experimental molecular view

We report direct experimental observation of local conformational dynamics in a polymer chain at the calorimetric glass transition temperature Tg. Variable-temperature two-dimensional (2D) solid-state exchange NMR, at natural abundance, reveals segmental dynamics in pure polyisobutylene (PIB) occurring on a time scale of several seconds over the Tg range observed by DSC (203-208 K). To our knowledge, this is the first direct observation of molecular-level conformer interchange (trans-trans/trans-gauche/gauche-gauche) at the caloric glass transition temperature. Our results provide a chronologically accurate and pedagogically advantageous demonstration of molecular processes during a polymer phase transition, relative to traditional bulk mechanical and calorimetric techniques. More importantly, we use a miscible blend to demonstrate a general strategy for quantitative evaluation of configurational entropy changes via combination of temperature-dependent 2D exchange NMR and Adams-Gibbs theory. Our results on the Tg time scale are directly relevant to fundamental understanding of the Tg length scale, i.e., the dimension of cooperatively rearranging regions.     

Complexation of plutonium(IV) with sulfate at variable temperatures

The complexation of plutonium(IV) with sulfate at variable temperatures has been investigated by solvent extraction method. A NaBrO₃ solution was used as holding oxidant to maintain the plutonium(IV) oxidation state throughout the experiments. The distribution ratio of Pu(IV) between the organic and aqueous phases was found to decrease as the concentrations of sulfate were increased. Stability constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 Pu(IV)-HSO₄ ⁻ complexes, dominant in the aqueous phase, were calculated from the effect of [HSO₄ ⁻] on the distribution ratio. The enthalpy and entropy of complexation were calculated from the stability constants at different temperatures using the Van’t Hoff equation.     

Mass resolved MPI spectra of methyl iodide in the 430-490 nm region

The mass resolved multiphoton ionization (MPI) spectra of methyl iodide were obtained in the 430-490 nm region using a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. They have the same vibrational structure, which testifies that the fragment species, in the wavelength region under study, are from the photodissociation of multiphoton ionized molecular parent ions. Some features in the spectra are identified as three-photon excitations to 6p and 7s Rydberg states of methyl iodide. Two new vibrational structures of some Rydberg states are observed. The mechanism of ionization and dissociation is also discussed.     

High-throughput cytochrome p450 inhibition assays by ultrafast gradient liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry using monolithic columns

A generic method employing ultrafast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed and employed for routine screening of drug candidates for inhibition of five major human cytochrome p450 (CYP) isozymes, CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP1A2. The method utilized a monolithic silica rod column to allow fast flow rates to significantly reduce chromatographic run time. The major metabolites of six CYP-specific probe substrates for the five p450 isoforms were monitored and quantified to determine IC(50) values of five drug compounds against each p450 isozyme. Human liver microsomal incubation samples at each test compound concentration were combined and analyzed simultaneously by the LC/MS/MS method. Each pooled sample containing six substrates and an internal standard was separated and detected in only 24 seconds. The combination of ultrafast chromatography and sample pooling techniques has significantly increased sample throughput and shortened assay turnaround time, allowing a large number of compounds to be screened rapidly for potential p450 inhibitory activity, to aid in compound selection and optimization in drug discovery.     

Polyurethane cationomers. I. Structure–properties relationships

Polyurethane (PU) cationomers have been synthesized by quaternizing tertiary amine-containing linear polyurethanes using different quaternizers containing acid groups. The effect of chemical structure of PU cationomers on the physical properties was studied. The mechanical properties of PU cationomers were improved with decreasing molecular weight of poly(caprolactone) glycol, and increasing concentration of quaternary ammonium. Decreasing the carbon number in the alkyl group of the N-alkyl diethanol-amine chain-extenders, and using rigid symmetrical diisocyanates, the mechanical properties of the PU cationomers were increased. The effects of these factors on the glass transition temperature of PU cationomers were also examined. The mechanical properties of the PU cationomers decreased by immersion in water and recovered after removal of the water.