The p-Blocks of the Mackey Algebra

Let p be a prime number. This paper describes the primitive idempotents and prime spectrum of the crossed Burnside algebra of a finite group over a p-local ring. The main application is a formula for the block idempotents of the p-local Mackey algebra of the group, in terms of the corresponding bloks of the group algebra.     

Congruence preserving functions on free monoids

A function on an algebra is congruence preserving if for any congruence, it maps congruent elements to congruent elements. We show that on a free monoid generated by at least three letters, a function from the free monoid into itself is congruence preserving if and only if it is of the form \({x \mapsto w_{0}xw_{1} \cdots w_{n-1}xw_n }\) for some finite sequence of words \({w_0,\ldots ,w_n}\). We generalize this result to functions of arbitrary arity. This shows that a free monoid with at least three generators is a (noncommutative) affine complete algebra. As far as we know, it is the first (nontrivial) case of a noncommutative affine complete algebra.     

Z-scan measurement of the nonlinear refractive index of graphene

Under strong laser illumination, few-layer graphene exhibits both a transmittance increase due to saturable absorption and a nonlinear phase shift. Here, we unambiguously distinguish these two nonlinear optical effects and identify both real and imaginary parts of the complex nonlinear refractive index of graphene. We show that graphene possesses a giant nonlinear refractive index n(2)?10(-7) cm(2) W(-1), almost 9 orders of magnitude larger than bulk dielectrics. We find that the nonlinear refractive index decreases with increasing excitation flux but slower than the absorption. This suggests that graphene may be a very promising nonlinear medium, paving the way for graphene-based nonlinear photonics.     

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Noncovalently Functionalized by Ruthenium(II) Complex Tagged with Pyrene: Electrochemical and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Properties

Ru being served: A pyrene-Ru/SWCNT nanohybrid was formed through noncovalent π-π stacking interactions. After oxidative treatment, the pyrene-Ru/SWCNT-functionalized Pt electrode achieved a highly reversible redox process and exhibited excellent electrogenerated chemiluminescence behavior.     

Raman and FTIR spectroscopy applied to the conservation report of paleontological collections: identification of Raman and FTIR signatures of several iron sulfate species such as ferrinatrite and sideronatrite

Fossil materials that contain iron sulfide are well known for their instability when exposed to oxygen and humidity. This term however combines a great variety of materials showing different types of damages. Most of them consist of crystal efflorescence appearing on the surface and inside the matrix. In this work, a methodology was determined for the analysis of these damages by the use of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The infrared and Raman signatures of a large set of iron sulfates were characterized. Specific attention was paid to sideronatrite and ferrinatrite, which are two associated sodium/iron(III) sulfates, and their infrared and Raman bands were partially assigned. Analysis performed on a selection of 11 damaged fossils showed a great variety of degradation products: besides one case that appeared to be a synthetic resin close to polyvinylchloride acetate, which was applied with a brush on the fossil surface, all degradation products belong to the sulfate group. However, many iron‐free sulfates, such as gypsum, halotrichite, epsomite, or pentahydrite were found, often in association with iron sulfates. In one case, despite the presence of iron in the matrix, no iron sulfate could be detected. This shows that the term ‘pyritic fossil’, commonly used by collection managers, is not appropriate as it oversimplifies the reality. A name such as ‘sulfide‐containing fossil’ would be more suitable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cultural heritage and archaeology materials studied by synchrotron spectroscopy and imaging

The use of synchrotron radiation techniques to study cultural heritage and archaeological materials has undergone a steep increase over the past 10–15 years. The range of materials studied is very broad and encompasses painting materials, stone, glass, ceramics, metals, cellulosic and wooden materials, and a cluster of organic-based materials, in phase with the diversity observed at archaeological sites, museums, historical buildings, etc. Main areas of investigation are: (1) the study of the alteration and corrosion processes, for which the unique non-destructive speciation capabilities of X-ray absorption have proved very beneficial, (2) the understanding of the technologies and identification of the raw materials used to produce archaeological artefacts and art objects and, to a lesser extent, (3) the investigation of current or novel stabilisation, conservation and restoration practices. In terms of the synchrotron methods used, the main focus so far has been on X-ray techniques, primarily X-ray fluorescence, absorption and diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We review here the use of these techniques from recent works published in the field demonstrating the breadth of applications and future potential offered by third generation synchrotron techniques. New developments in imaging and advanced spectroscopy, included in the UV/visible and IR ranges, could even broaden the variety of materials studied, in particular by fostering more studies on organic and complex organic–inorganic mixtures, while new support activities at synchrotron facilities might facilitate transfer of knowledge between synchrotron specialists and users from archaeology and cultural heritage sciences.     

Efficient synthesis of substituted 1‐dimethylamino or 1‐methylthio but‐3‐enylidene‐bis‐phosphonates,via the [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of related transient ammonium or sulfonium ylides

New variously substituted 1‐dimethylamino or 1‐methylthio but‐3‐enylidene‐bis‐phosphonates have been prepared from readily availableα‐dimethylamino or α‐methylthio methylene‐bis‐phosphonates by postulated [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangements of the corresponding N‐ or S‐allylic intermediate ylides. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10: 281–289, 1999     

The Use of Chronoamperometry and Chemometrics for Optimization of Conducting Polymer Sensor Arrays

A general approach using principal component analysis was applied to amperometric data obtained from flow injection analysis (FIA) to select conducting electroactive polymers (CEPs) and applied potential waveforms for discrimination of potassium and methylamine. The results were compared with the selection from the application of the PCA approach for cyclic voltammetry data in our previous research. Good agreement between the two methods of selection was found, which indicates that within the general qualitative limits of the approach, PCA can be applied for selection of chemical and electrochemical parameters for FIA detection/discrimination using CEP sensor arrays detector for a range of analytes.