[Zn2(thf)2(EtZn)6Zn4(μ4‐O)(tBuPO3)8]: A Dodecanuclear Zincophosphonate Aggregate with a Zn4(μ4‐O) Core

The largest multinuclear zinc framework synthesized is in the title compound (see picture), which contains structural features closely related to the motifs found in layered and three‐dimensional zincophosphates and zincophosphonates. The reactive centers make this zincophosphonate a viable precursor for the synthesis of porous zincophosphonate materials.     

Organoaluminum fluorides

In this review we introduce a survey of organoaluminum fluorides with some examples of other related aluminum-fluorine compounds. A systematic overview of currently available synthetic methods for the preparation of organoaluminum fluorides is presented first. Then major examples of molecular structures of different classes of compounds are discussed in connection with their structural parameters and and NMR spectroscopic characteristics.     

Thermal transport characteristics of polypropylene fiber-based knitted fabrics

Thermal comfort is condition of an organism, when there is no sweating and the mean skin temperature is in the range from 32 to 34?°C (Hes, Measurement of comfort, What can textile III, 2009). Thermal comfort is closely connected with the following characteristics: thermal resistivity and thermal conductivity. Related properties are: resistance against the penetration of water vapor, air permeability, and porosity. The thermal resistivity R (W^?1?K?m²) and thermal conductivity K (W?K^?1?m^?1) of knitted fabrics containing PP fiber were measured. Measurements were realized on three different types of devices. The experimental results were compared with simple mechanistic model for prediction of thermal conductivity K for textile structures.     

Periodic nanostructures self-formed on silicon and silicon carbide by femtosecond laser irradiation

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) were formed on Si and SiC surfaces by irradiations with femtosecond laser pulses in air. Different kinds of self-organized structures appeared on Si and SiC at laser fluences slightly higher than the damage threshold, which was measured by confocal laser scanning microscope. The characteristic spatial periodicity of every observed structure was estimated reading the peak values of the 2D Fourier transform power spectra obtained from SEM images. The evolution of the spatial periodicity was finally studied with respect to both the laser fluence and the number of laser pulses. As already observed for metals, the behavior of the spatial periodicity on laser fluence can be related to the parametric decay of laser light into surface plasma waves. Our results suggest a wide applicability of the parametric decay model on different materials, making the model a useful tool in view of different applications of LIPSS.     

Potential and Limitations of 2D <Superscript>1</Superscript>H–<Superscript>1</Superscript>H Spin-Exchange CRAMPS Experiments to Characterize Structures of Organic Solids

Summary.  A brief overview of our recent results concerning the application of 2D CRAMPS experiments to investigate a wide range of materials is presented. The abilities of the 2D ¹H–¹H spin-exchange technique to characterize the structure of organic solids as well as the limitations resulting from segmental mobility and from undesired coherence transfer are discussed. Basic principles of ¹H NMR line-narrowing and procedures for analysis of the spin-exchange process are introduced. We focused to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex spin-exchange process leading to the determination of domain sizes and morphology in heterogeneous multicomponent systems as well as the characterization of clustering of surface hydroxyl groups in polysiloxane networks. Particular attention is devoted to the determination of the ¹H–¹H interatomic distances in the presence of local molecular motion. Finally we discuss limitations of the ¹³C–¹³C correlation mediated by ¹H–¹H spin exchange to obtain structural constraints. The application of Lee-Goldburg cross-polarization to suppress undesired coherence transfer is proposed. Corresponding author. E-mail: brus@imc.cas.cz Received May 28, 2002; accepted (revised) July 1, 2002     

Alkali Metal Arenides as a Universal Synthetic Tool for Layered 2D Germanene Modification

The rediscovery of graphene in 2004 has started an enormous chase in the research of 2D materials. A new family of layered 2D materials consisting of the 14th group elements beyond carbon has already been reported. Here, a new methodology in germanene chemistry is presented using germanane (Ge₆H₆) as a stable and easily accessible starting material for effective synthesis of novel germanene derivatives. The modification procedure utilizing strong bases—alkali metal arenides—for deprotonation of germanane and its subsequent functionalization with p‐nitrobenzyl bromide is described. Functionalization of germanene is confirmed by FT‐IR, Raman, and XPS spectroscopy as well as by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Simple measurement of actinides in urine using solid-state scintillation

Rapid methods for determination of internal contamination play a key role during emergency situations in particular for incident response teams and affected populations. For this reason, these methods and their particular techniques must be fast, reliable, robust, simple and cost-efficient, as well as providing high-quality throughput. On the other hand, they are characterized by lower precision and they are often biased. The presented method is based on direct measurement of urine using powder scintillator YAP:Ce together with an alkaline medium as a replacement for traditional liquid scintillation cocktail. The overall efficiencies for trivalent actinides (Am-241 and Cm-244) were greater than 85% and 94%.

     

Behavioural breaks in the heterogeneous agent model: The impact of herding,overconfidence, and market sentiment

The main aim of this work is to incorporate selected findings from behavioural finance into a Heterogeneous Agent Model using the Brock and Hommes (1998) [34] framework. Behavioural patterns are injected into an asset pricing framework through the so-called ‘Break Point Date’, which allows us to examine their direct impact. In particular, we analyse the dynamics of the model around the behavioural break. Price behaviour of 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average constituents covering five particularly turbulent US stock market periods reveals interesting patterns in this aspect. To replicate it, we apply numerical analysis using the Heterogeneous Agent Model extended with the selected findings from behavioural finance: herding, overconfidence, and market sentiment. We show that these behavioural breaks can be well modelled via the Heterogeneous Agent Model framework and they extend the original model considerably. Various modifications lead to significantly different results and model with behavioural breaks is also able to partially replicate price behaviour found in the data during turbulent stock market periods.