Some inequalities for partial orders

We establish some inequalities connecting natural parameters of a partial order P. For example, if every interval [a,b] contains at most maximal chains, if some antichain has cardinality v, and if there are ₁ chains whose union is cofinal and coinitial in P, then the chain decomposition number for P is ₁v (Theorem 2.2), and the inequality is sharp in a certain sense (Section 3).This paper was written while the authors were visitors at the Laboratoire d'algèbre ordinale, Département de Mathématiques, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, France.Research supported by NSERC grant # A5198.     

An introduction to covariant superstring field theories

A pedagogical account is given of the recent developments in covariant (super)string field theories. After reviewing the construction of the free open bosonic string field theory, the super-symmetric case is treated and the space-time supersymmetry transformations are explained. The present status and some future problems are also summarized.Invited talk presented at the International Conference Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematical Physics, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, June 23–27, 1986.On leave of absence fromNational Laboratory for High Energy Physics (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.I would like to thank A. Neveu, H. Nicolai and P. West for many discussions, and the CERN Theoretical Physics Division for hospitality and generous support.     

Transient behavior of a nonequilibrium plasma formed by merged beams

A low density, low temperature plasma formed by two merged beams of electrons and ions at near zero relative velocity is studied by solving a set of time-dependent rate equations. In particular, we investigate the role played by the radiative recombination (RR) and three-body recombination (TBR) on the population of excited states during the initial stage of plasma rearrangement and relaxation. It is found in the case of hydrogenic plasmas that low-lying states are filled predominantly by RR, while high Rydberg states are populated mainly by TBR. As the plasma further relaxes, the collisional excitation and de-excitation, and radiative decays become important, filling the median excited states. The dependence of the TBR and RR rates on ionic chargeZ is discussed to extend the result to plasmas of highZ ions.     

Etude cristallographique de l'arsénotellurure de zirconium quadratique

Single crystals of zirconium arsenotelluride (PbFCl type) have been prepared by direct synthesis from the elements. Chemical analysis gives: $\text{As}\text{Zr}\text{= 1.43 ± 0.02}$ and $\text{Te}\text{Zr}\text{= 0.46 ± 0.01}$, in atoms. Lattice constants are: a = 3.82 ± 0.01 Å and c = 8.17 ± 0.02Å. Experimental density is equal to 7.14 ± 0.05. Unit cell thus contains Zr_2.00As_2.86Te_0.92. The structure has been solved with 227 reflections of a single crystal recorded at room temperature. The final R factor is 0.081, excluding zero reflections. Part of the arsenic atoms fills a site and the remainder is located in a second site, the occupation of which is completed by a part of zirconium atoms. The third site is occupied, but not filled, by the tellurium atoms and the remainder of zirconium atoms.     

BINDING, EXCITATION ENERGY TRANSFER AND PHOTOSENSITIZATION IN GRISEOFULVIN-DNA MIXTURES

Abstract— The weak and reversible binding of the antifungal drug, griseofulvin (GF), to calf thymus DNA has been demonstrated by difference spectroscopy and the quenching of the fluorescence of GF by DNA observed. The value of K _n was determined to be 800 M ^-1by fluorescence quenching titration. Adenosine and guanosine also exhibit difference spectra with GF and quench GF fluorescence indicating that they may be the site of both binding and energy transfer. The in vitro photosensitization of DNA by griseofulvin is shown to occur. It is proposed that the clinically observed in vivo photosensitizing action of griseofulvin may result from binding followed by excitation energy transfer and that this may also be important in the antifungal activity of the drug.     

Radiation degradation of copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 3-oximino-2-butanone methacrylate

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 3-oximino-2-butanone methacrylate (OM) were investigated as deep-UV and e-beam resists. Their increased sensitivity relative to PMMA (up to 50 times) was correlated with the radiation chemical yields of the volatile products and main chain scissions. The degradation of these copolymers, activated by the 3-oximino-2-butanone entity, is discussed in terms of energy absorption mechanisms and the subsequent scission reactions.     

Synthesis, band structure, and optical properties of Ba2ZnV2O8

A novel compound Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ has been synthesized in high temperature solution reaction and its crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in monoclinic system and belongs to space group P2₁/c with a=7.9050(16), b=16.149(3), , β=90.49(3). It builds up from 1-D branchy chains of [ZnV₂O₈⁴⁻]_∞, and the Ba²⁺ cations are located in the space among these chains. The IR spectrum, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection integral spectrum and fluorescent spectra of this compound have been investigated. The calculated results of energy band structure by the density functional theory method show that the solid-state compound of Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ is an insulator with direct band gap of 3.48 eV. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from the mixings of O-2p, V-3d, and Zn-3d states and low conduction bands mostly originate from unoccupied antibonding states between the V-3d and O-2p states. The V-O bonds are mostly covalence characters and Zn-O bonds are mostly ionic interactions, and the ionic interaction strength is stronger between the Ba-O than between the Zn-O. The refractive index of n_x, n_y, and n_z is estimated to be 1.7453, 1.7469, and 1.7126, respectively, at wavelength of 1060 nm for Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ crystal.     

Polymerization and copolymerization of methacrylic esters derived from glycidyl methacrylate

Copolymerization of methacrylic esters derived from glycidyl methacrylate and nucleophiles with styrene was carried out. The monomer reactivity ratios of these methacrylic esters were varied with the alkoxy groups of the esters and the solvent used.     

Template synthesis in the nickel(II)–thiocarbohydrazide–propanone triple system

The complexing process proceeding in the Ni^II–thiocarbohydrazide (H₂N–H–NC(=S)–NH–NH₂)–propanone triple system in EtOH solution and nickel(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix has been studied. It has been found that in the first case, template synthesis leading, as a minimum, to formation of three coordination compounds of Ni^II with (N,N,S,S)-donor tetradentate ligands having NiL¹, NiL² and NiL³compositions where L¹ is 4,6,6-trimethyl-2,3,7,8-tetraazanonen-3-di(thiohydrazide)-1,9, L² is 4,6,6,12-tetrametyl-1,9-dithio-2,3,7,8,10,11-hexaazatridekadien-3,11-hydrazide-1 and L³ is 2,8,10,10,16-pentamethyl-5,13-dithio-3,4,6,7,11,12,14,15-octaazaheptadekatrien-2,7,15 is observed, whereas in the gelatin-immobilized matrix, a complexing process in the system considered does not occur.     

Studies on antimony oxides: Part I

Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction studies of antimony(III) oxide, (Sb₂O₃), in air, nitrogen and argon atmospheres have been made. In air Sb₂O₃ becomes oxidized to Sb₂O₄ above 510°. The oxidation reaction proceeds in two stages as revealed by the TG and DTA curves. The behaviour of Sb₂O₃ is similar in both N₂ and Ar. Sb₂O₃ remains unaffected up to 430°, above which there is a slow, and continuous mass loss up to 550°. Above 550° Sb₂O₃ volatilizes resulting in an enormous weight loss. X-ray studies of the sublimate and the residue indicate the former to be the cubic form of Sb₂O₃ (Senarmontite) while the residue is the orthorhombic (Valentinite) structure. From the DTA curves in air, N₂ and Ar, the transition temperature for the cubic to the orthorhombic modification has been estimated to be around 610°.