Fermi surface topology effect on interlayer magnetoresistance with in-plane magnetic field in layered multiband system: Application to FeAs-based superconductors

We propose interlayer magnetoresistance experiments which provide information about Fermi surface topology in layered multi-band systems. The interlayer magnetoresistance shows an oscillating behavior with respect to the azimuthal angle of the applied in-plane magnetic field if the Fermi surface is anisotropic. We discuss applications to LaFeAsO, a parent compound of FeAs-based superconductors. We show the results on the paramagnetic state and the antiferromagnetic state based on a mean field calculation.     

Interest rate option pricing and volatility forecasting: An application to Brazil

Assessing the markets perception of future interest and inflation rate volatility is of crucial importance to assess the evolution of expectations in an inflation targeting framework. This article aims to evaluate the information content of implied volatilities extracted from a Brazilian interest-rate call option. We compared the predictive performance of three different approaches: one using the traditional [Black F. The pricing of commodity contracts. J Financ Econ 1976;3:167–79] method, another one using the extended-Vasicek model, and in the third approach, we use a GARCH(2, 1) model. The empirical evidence was more favorable to the extended-Vasicek method. Moreover, extended-Vasicek’s implied volatilities could predict around 33% (adjusted R²) of the variations in realized volatility. Further research could test for the predictive content of long memory options such as those suggested in Wang et al. [Wang X-T, Qiu W-Y, Ren F-Y. Option pricing of fractional version of the Black–Scholes model with Hurst exponent H being in . Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 2001;12:599–608; Wang X-T, Ren F-Y, Liang X-Q. A fractional version of the Merton model. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 2003;15:455–63].     

A new method for disintegration studies of rapid disintegrating tablet

The aim of this study was to develop a simple and suitable disintegration method specific for rapid disintegrating tablets (RDTs). The new disintegration method that we propose employs a rotary shaft to exert mechanical pressure on the RDT. To assess our method, we manufactured several placebo RDTs and exposed them to severe storage conditions (60 degrees C/75%RH for 1 week) in order to obtain RDTs with a wide range of disintegration times. These placebo RDTs were utilized to compare the disintegration times obtained by several methods, including the proposed method. As expected, the disintegration time of the placebo RDTs in human sensory test varied widely. The disintegration times determined by the conventional disintegration test were in good correlation to those in human sensory test, but the slope was far from 1 (0.241). There was no correlation between the disintegration time of RDTs in human sensory test and those determined by the conventional dissolution test. In contrast, we acquired good correlation between the disintegration times obtained with the new method and those in human sensory test, and the slope was very close to 1 (0.858). We attribute this to the use of mechanical stress in the new method, similar to that the RDT is subject to in the oral cavity. We therefore concluded that the proposed method was suitable for the measurement of the disintegration time of RDTs. This new method might provide a valuable approach for the establishment of the official disintegration test for RDTs in the future.     

Cyclopolycondensations. VI. Fully aromatic polybenzoxazinones from aromatic poly(amic acids)

New high temperature aromatic polybenzoxazinones of high molecular weight have been prepared by the cyclopolycondensation of 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid (I) with aromatic dicarboxylic acid halides (II). The low temperature solution polymerization techniques afforded poly(amic acid) (III) of high molecular weight in the first step. An open-chain precursor subsequently underwent thermal cyclodehydration along the polymer chain at 200–350°C. in the second step, to give in quantitative yield a fully aromatic polybenzoxazinone (IV) of outstanding heat stability both in nitrogen and in air. The poly(amic acid) is soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and tough, transparent films can be cast from solution. Insoluble aromatic polybenzoxazinone films which possess excellent oxidative and thermal stability were obtained by the heat treatment of the polyamic acid. A detailed account of polymerization conditions in the low temperature solution polymerization of polybenzoxazinones is given, and the reaction mechanisms of cyclopolycondensation of poly(amic acids) and the formation of polybenzoxazinones are discussed.     

Radiation damage in Si1−x Ge x heteroepitaxial devices

Results are presented of an extended study on the induced lattice defects and their effects on the degradation of Si_1−x Ge _x devices, subjected to a 20 MeV alpha-ray, 1 MeV electron, 1 MeV fast neutron, and 20 and 86 MeV proton irradiations. The degradation of the electrical device performance increase with increasing fluence, while it decreases with increasing germanium content. In the Si_1−x Ge _x epitaxial layers, electron capture levels associated with an interstitial-substitutional boron complex are induced. The radiation source dependence of performance degradation is attributed to the difference of mass and the probability of nuclear collision for the formation of lattice defects.     

Effects of arsenobetaine,a major organic arsenic compound in seafood,on the maturation and functions of human peripheral blood monocytes,macrophages and dendritic cells

We examine the in vitro immunotoxicity of synthetically pure arsenobetaine [AsBe; trimethyl (carboxymethyl) arsonium zwitterion], which is a major organic arsenic compound in seafood, on various human immune cells, such as peripheral blood monocytes, monocyte‐derived macrophages and monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DCs). In particular, we examine the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages or DCs by comparing the effects of AsBe with those pentavalent inorganic arsenate. AsBe neither enhanced nor inhibited the differentiation of human monocytes into macrophages or DCs, and also did not affect their various immune functions. Furthermore, AsBe had no cytolethality in monocyte‐derived macrophages or DCs even at a concentration of 5 mmol l⁻¹. In contrast, inorganic arsenate showed strong cytolethality in these human immune cells in vitro at micromolar concentrations. These data indicate that the organic arsenic compound AsBe in seafood has no in vitro immunotoxicity in human immune cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

740 Gbit/s (37 x 20 Gbit/s) DWDM Transmission Experiment Using Er3+-Doped Tellurite Fiber Amplifiers and Distributed Raman Amplification

We demonstrate 740 Gbit/s (37 × 20 Gbit/s) DWDM recirculating transmission experiment with 59 nm continuous bandwidth over 300 km by employing Er3+-doped tellurite fiber amplifiers. The use of Raman amplification is effective to increase the transmission bandwidth.     

Extended RPA with ground-state correlations

We propose a time-independent method for finding a correlated ground state of an extended time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory, known as the time-dependent density matrix theory (TDDM). The correlated ground state is used to formulate the small amplitude limit of TDDM (STDDM) which is a version of extended RPA theories with ground-state correlations. To demonstrate the feasibility of the method, we calculate the ground state of ²² O and study the first 2 ⁺ state and its two-phonon states using STDDM.Received: 7 November 2003, Published online: 10 August 2004PACS: 21.10.Re Collective levels - 21.60.Jz Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximations - 27.30. + t      

Mott gap excitations in twin-free YBa2Cu3O7-delta (Tc=93 K) studied by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering

Mott gap excitations in the optimally doped high-T(c) superconductor YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) (T(c)=93 K) have been studied by the resonant inelastic x-ray scattering method. Anisotropic spectra in the ab plane are observed in a twin-free crystal. The excitation from the one-dimensional CuO chain is enhanced at 2 eV near the zone boundary of the b* direction, while the excitation from the CuO2 plane is broad at 1.5-4 eV and almost independent of the momentum transfer. Theoretical calculations based on the one-dimensional and two-dimensional Hubbard model reproduces the observed spectra when different values of the on-site Coulomb energy are assumed. The Mott gap of the CuO chain site is found to be much smaller than that of the CuO2 plane site.     

Alkyl group as entropy reservoir in an MMX chain complex, Pt2(n-PenCS2)4I

Heat capacity of halogen-bridged one-dimensional binuclear metal complex (so-called MMX chain) having four n-pentyl groups, Pt2(n-PenCS2)4I, was measured by adiabatic calorimetry. A first-order phase transition was observed at 207.4 K when measurement was made after cooling from room temperature. The enthalpy and entropy of transition were determined to be 10.19 kJ mol(-1) and 49.1 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. A monotropic phase transition was observed at 324 K on heating, and the entropy of transition was essentially null. The sample once heated above 324 K never returned to the initial phase at room temperature and underwent a higher-order phase transition at 173 K and a first-order phase transition at 220.5 K. The enthalpy and entropy of the first-order phase transition were estimated to be 11.6 kJ mol(-1) and 52.4 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. The magnitude of the entropy gain at the phase transition from the initial room-temperature phase to the high-temperature phase at 324 K shows that in Pt2(n-PenCS2)4I a large amount of entropy reserved in alkyl chain is transferred to dithiocarboxylato groups upon the phase transition, as in the cases of Pt2(n-PrCS2)4I and Pt2(n-BuCS2)4I.