Jacobsthal Numbers in Generalized Petersen Graphs

We prove that the number of 1‐factorizations of a generalized Petersen graph of the type is equal to the kth Jacobsthal number when k is odd, and equal to when k is even. Moreover, we verify the list coloring conjecture for .     

Influencing the size and anion selectivity of dimeric Ln(3+)[15-metallacrown-5] compartments through systematic variation of the host side chains and central metal

Dimeric Ln(3+)[15-metallacrown-5] compartments selectively recognize carboxylates through guest binding to host metal ions and intermolecular interactions with the phenyl side chains. A systematic study is presented on how the size, selectivity, and number of encapsulated guests in the dimeric containers is influenced by the Ln(3+)[15-metallacrown(Cu(II))-5] ligand side chain and central metal. Compartments of varying heights were assembled from metallacrowns with S-phenylglycine hydroxamic acid (pgHA), S-phenylalanine hydroxamic acid (pheHA), and S-homophenylalanine hydroxamic acid (hpheHA) ligands. Guests that were examined include the fully deprotonated forms of terephthalic acid, isonicotinic acid, and bithiophene dicarboxylic acid (btDC). X-ray crystallography reveals that the side-chain length constrains the maximum and minimum length guest that can be encapsulated in the compartment. Compartments with heights ranging from 9.7 to 15.2 ? are formed with different phenyl side chains that complex 4.3-9.2 ? long guests. Up to five guests are accommodated in Ln(3+)[15-metallacrown(Cu(II))-5] compartments depending on steric effects from the host side chains. The nine-coordinate La(3+) central metal promotes the encapsulation of multiple guests, while the eight-coordinate Gd(3+) typically binds only one dicarboxylate. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry reveals that the dimerization phenomenon occurs beyond the solid state, suggesting that these containers can be utilized in solid-state and solution applications.     

Modeling and mitigation of sample relief effects applied to chemistry measurements by the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X‐ray Spectrometer

The Alpha Particle X‐ray Spectrometer (APXS) onboard the Mars rover Curiosity conducts high‐precision in situ chemical measurements of rocks and regolith. Target surfaces are not always flat and thus can pose issues for interpretations that assume such. Here, we investigate when variable target relief is an important effect to consider for APXS targets. We provide operational recommendations on how to most efficiently study targets of significant changes in surface relief with the rover‐arm‐mounted APXS and Mars Hand Lens Imager camera. Additionally, we deconvolve the chemistry of heterogeneous targets of significant vertical relief encountered along Curiosity's traverse, providing the chemical composition of visible endmembers in the process. Specifically, presented here are the deconvolved endmember compositions of two recent targets. The first is a manganese‐rich, calcium‐rich, and zinc‐rich dark‐toned vein at Garden City that is chemically and visually unique compared with the intermixed light‐toned Ca‐sulfate‐dominated vein. The other target is a weathered Mg‐sulfate‐rich nodule that is unique compared with a previously encountered nodule that had significant nickel enrichment. The distinctly different chemistry both at Garden City and with the Mg‐sulfate‐rich nodules along the traverse provides further evidence for either multiple fluid events or an evolving fluid on the surface of ancient Mars. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generation of excimer emission in dielectric barrier discharges

Dielectric barrier discharges (silent discharges) are used to excite a large number of excimers radiating in the VUV, UV or visible spectral range. The excited species include rare-gas dimers, halogen dimers as well as rare-gas halogen excimers and mercury halogen excimers. In many cases narrow-band UV radiation of typically 1–17 nm halfwidth and remarkable efficiency (1–10%) could be generated. Thus, dielectric barrier discharges provide a simple, versatile arrangement to study the basic reaction kinetics of excimer formation and also bear a substantial potential for large-scale industrial UV processes.     

First structural characterization of a delocalized, mixed-valent, triangular Cu37+ species: chemical and electrochemical oxidation of a CuII3(mu3-O) pyrazolate and electronic structure of the oxidation product

The chemical or electrochemical one-electron oxidation of the all-CuII complex [Cu3(mu3-O)(mu-pz)3X3]2- leads to its formally CuII2CuIII analogue (pz = pyrazolato anion; X = Cl- and PhCOO-). The X-ray single-crystal structure and density functional theory analysis of the latter agree in revealing the delocalized nature of its mixed-valent Cu3(7+) core.     

Deconvolution of distinct lithology chemistry through oversampling with the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X‐Ray Spectrometer

The Alpha Particle X‐Ray Spectrometer (APXS) determines the chemical composition of Martian rocks and soils on‐board both active National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rovers using X‐ray emission spectroscopy through complementary particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) excitation methods. A single APXS spectrum represents the sum of the signals from within the instrument's field of view (FOV). In the past, features smaller than the FOV have been investigated through repeated measurements with stepwise lateral offsets. These lateral offsets allow for empirically extracting, through elemental correlations, distinct compositions of different features. Here, we present a novel analytical method for deconvolving the endmember chemistry of visually distinct components through oversampling and the integrated analysis of the elemental data and supporting images. We discuss specifically the method's application to three targets investigated by the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity during its traverse, as well as the added information that can be gained from this method in the future. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning of the [Cu3(mu-O)]4+/5+ redox couple: spectroscopic evidence of charge delocalization in the mixed-valent [Cu3(mu-O)]5+ species

Trinuclear Cu (II)-complexes of formula [Cu (II) 3(mu 3-E)(mu-4-R-pz) 3X 3] (+/- n ), E = O and OH; R = H, Cl, Br, CH(O) and NO 2; X = Cl, NCS, CH 3COO, and py, have been synthesized and characterized and the effect of substitution of terminal ligands, as well as 4-R-groups, in the one-electron oxidation process has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. In situ UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical characterization of the mixed valence Cu 3 (7+)-complex [Cu 3(mu 3-O)(mu-pz) 3Cl 3] (-) revealed an intervalence charge transfer band at 9550 cm (-1) (epsilon = 2600 cm (-1) M (-1)), whose analysis identifies this species as a delocalized, Robin-Day class-III system, with an electronic coupling factor, H ab, of 4775 cm (-1).