On the sympletic geometry of the super Teichmüller space

The geometry of the Teichmüller space of the super Riemann surfaces is examined. The Weil-Petersson Kähler form is calculated in terms of the super coordinate functions which provide local coordinates for the super Teichmüller space. It is shown that the Kähler form on the super Teichmüller space is closed.Work partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture No. 02302020Work partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of the Ministry of Educations, Science and Culture No. 02740145     

Lanthanide heterometallic molecular squares Ru2-Ln2 exhibiting sensitized near-infrared emission

New lanthanide heterometallic molecular squares functionalized with Ru-bipy antenna chromophore Ru2-Ln2 exhibit sensitized near-infrared emission upon photo-excitation of the Ru-centered antenna at 420 nm.     

Spontaneous birefringence and order parameter of KMnF3 below the 186°K transition point

The birefringence of KMnF₃ was measured in a temperature range between 130 and 186°K. It is shown that the birefringence is proportional to the square of displacement of F^- ion and fits closely to $\text{(T}{}_{\mathrm{a}}\text{?T)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>2</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}$ near the transition point, where T_a lies at about 1.5°K above the transition temperature. Values of the order parameter are determined at each temperature.     

Determination of absolute configuration and enantiomeric purity of spirocyclic alcohols by 1h nmr

Absolute configuration and enantiomeric purities of some hydroxy-ketones and diols of spiro[4.4]nonane and 2,2′-spirobi-indan can be simultaneously determined by use of MTPA derivatives and a lanthanoid shift reagent.     

Origin of anomalous lattice expansion in oxide nanoparticles

Anomalous lattice expansions have been measured for the first time in monodisperse CeO2-x nanoparticles and in BaTiO3 single nanoparticles by electron diffraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on CeO2-x nanoparticles and ab initio computer simulation on BaTiO3 clusters show that the origin of expansion is the decrease of electrostatic force caused by valence reduction of Ce ions and the increase in ionicity of Ti ions, respectively. The lattice constant change of oxide (ionic) nanoparticles with the increase in ionicity would depend on the structure of the particles. Hence, first-principles calculations of large ionic clusters are indispensable.     

Commemorating two centuries of iodine research: an interdisciplinary overview of current research

Iodine was discovered as a novel element in 1811 during the Napoleonic Wars. To celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of this event we reflect on the history and highlight the many facets of iodine research that have evolved since its discovery. Iodine has an impact on many aspects of life on Earth as well as on human civilization. It is accumulated in high concentrations by marine algae, which are the origin of strong iodine fluxes into the coastal atmosphere which influence climatic processes, and dissolved iodine is considered a biophilic element in marine sediments. Iodine is central to thyroid function in vertebrates, with paramount implications for human health. Iodine can exist in a wide range of oxidation states and it features a diverse supramolecular chemistry. Iodine is amenable to several analytical techniques, and iodine compounds have found widespread use in organic synthesis. Elemental iodine is produced on an industrial scale and has found a wide range of applications in innovative materials, including semiconductors--in particular, in solar cells.