The effect of nuclear and Coulomb interactions on the nuclear shapes of two colliding208Pb nuclei

Using a complex energy density functional derived from the Reid soft-core potential, the changes in nuclear shapes of two colliding²⁰⁸Pb are investigated. At each separation distanceR, the total binding energy of the Pb + Pb system is minimized w.r.t. the quadrupole deformation and diffuseness parameters of nuclear densities. It is found that the nuclear shapes are strongly affected by the nuclear and Coulomb interactions. A sudden transition occurs from oblate to prolate shapes around R16.8fm and a smooth one from prolate to oblate shapes aroundR?11.76 fm.     

Stability of stationary solutions for the non-isentropic Euler-Maxwell system in the whole space

In this paper we discuss the asymptotic stability of stationary solutions for the non-isentropic Euler-Maxwell system in R³. It is known in the authors’ previous works [17, 18, 19] that the Euler-Maxwell system verifies the decay property of the regularity-loss type. In this paper we first prove the existence and uniqueness of a small stationary solution. Then we show that the non-stationary problemhas a global solution in a neighborhood of the stationary solution under smallness condition on the initial perturbation. Moreover, we show the asymptotic convergence of the solution toward the stationary solution as time tends to infinity. The crucial point of the proof is to derive a priori estimates by using the energy method.     

Birefringent side-hole fiber for use in strain sensor

Novel birefringent single-mode fibers are fabricated with a vacant hole on either side of the central elliptical core, referred to as side-hole fiber, and their intrinsic and tension-induced modal birefringences are measured to know their characteristic properties for the purpose of making a strain sensor. Five sampled side-hole fibers are prepared for measurements. The sensitivity of the strain sensor is primarily determined by two parameters, tension-induced and intrinsic modal birefringences. Tension-induced modal birefringence is controllable by optimal arrangement of the size and location of the side-holes in the cross-section of the fiber. A sensitivity diagram for designating and fabricating side-hole fibers is presented.     

Asymmetric borane reduction of ketones promoted by menthopyrazole‐zncl2 complex

The enantioselective reduction of ketones was accomplished by borane in the presence of pyrazole derivatives, particularly 2‐methoxymethyl‐3‐phenyl‐1‐menthopyrazole (8). The catalysis of zinc chloride makes it possible to lower the reaction temperature below 0 °C, and to promote enantioselectivity.     

Shape‐Selective Alkylation of Naphthalene over Zeolites: Steric Interaction of Reagents with Zeolites

Steric interaction of reagents with zeolites was studied in isopropylation, sec‐butylation, and tert‐butylation of naphthalene (NP) over several large‐pore zeolites to elucidate the mechanism of selective catalysis. Selectivities for dialkylnaphthalene (DAN) isomers were influenced by the type of zeolite and bulkiness of alkylating agent. Selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐diisopropylnaphthalene (DIPN) occurred only over H‐mordenite (MOR) in the isopropylation of NP using propene; bulky transition states of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN are excluded because of steric restriction by the channels, resulting in selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN. However, low selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN were observed over the zeolites, SSZ‐24 (AFI), SSZ‐55 (ATS), and SSZ‐42 (IFR) with 12‐membered‐ring (12‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, CIT‐5 (CFI), UTD‐1 (DON), and SSZ‐53 (SFH) with 14‐membered‐ring (14‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, and Y‐zeolite (FAU), zeolite β (BEA), and CIT‐1 (CON) with 12‐MR pore entrances of three‐dimensional channels, because their channels are too large for the exclusion of bulky isomers. Catalysis over these zeolites occurs under kinetic and/or thermodynamic control, resulting in predominant formation of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN at lower temperatures and an increase of the stable isomer β,β‐DIPN at higher temperatures. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced with the increase in bulkiness of alkylating agents: 1‐butene for sec‐butylation and 2‐methylpropene for tert‐butylation. In particular, β,β‐di‐tert‐butylnaphthalene (DTBN) was selectively formed in the tert‐butylation. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced even in large channels: the transition states of the least bulky isomers only fit the channels because other bulky isomers are excluded by steric restriction of the channels. However, tert‐butylation over FAU, BEA, and CON had selectivities for 2,6‐DTBN of around 50–60%, although selectivities for β,β‐DTBN were almost 100% selectivity; these zeolites can hardly recognize the differences between 2,6‐ and 2,7‐DTBN. The results indicate that the fitting of the least bulky isomers to zeolite channels, leading to the exclusion of other bulky isomers, is essential for highly shape‐selective catalysis.     

High-Pressure Synthesis of Fully Occupied Tetragonal and Cubic Tungsten Bronze Oxides

A high-pressure reaction yielded the fully occupied tetragonal tungsten bronze K₃W₅O₁₅ (K_0.6WO₃). The terminal phase shows an unusual transport property featuring slightly negative temperature-dependence in resistivity (dρ/dT<0) and a large Wilson ratio of R_W=3.2. Such anomalous metallic behavior possibly arises from the low-dimensional electronic structure with a van Hove singularity at the Fermi level and/or from enhanced magnetic fluctuations by geometrical frustration of the tungsten sublattice. The asymmetric nature of the tetragonal tungsten bronze K_xWO₃-K_0.6−yBa_yWO₃ phase diagram implies that superconductivity for x≤0.45 originates from the lattice instability because of potassium deficiency. A cubic perovskite KWO₃ phase was also identified as a line phase—in marked contrast to Na_xWO₃ and Li_xWO₃ with varying quantities of x (<1). This study presents a versatile method by which the solubility limit of tungsten bronze oxides can be extended.     

Peptidehelicenes in solution and gel: chiral discrimination through interactions between two types of helixes

Helical [5]thiaheterohelicene 5HM, which rapidly interconverts between P and M enantiomers in solution, was connected to helical l-phenylalanine oligomers with an ester linkage to give peptidehelicenes (5Fn, where n: number of bonded phenylalanines). The characteristics of 5F4 and 5F5 with two types of helixes in a molecule were investigated, particularly in comparison with those of 5F1–5F3 with an incomplete coil of a peptide moiety. l-Phenylalanine peptide chains induced a shift in the equilibrium between the P and M helixes of 5HM toward the P side for all the 5Fns examined. The enantiomeric excess (ee) of the P form increased with a decrease in temperature, together with an elongation of the peptide chains. 5F4 and 5F5 in hot solutions of some solvents formed a gel at room temperature, whereas 5F1–5F3 showed no such behavior. In this gel, the stable helical form of the 5HM moiety in 5F4 and 5F5 was observed to be the M form in contrast to that in their solutions.