Intermittency in the Fisher's droplet model

Intermittent behaviour of fragment multiplicity distributions in the nuclear liquid-gas phase transition is studied in terms of the droplet model of Fisher. The anomalous fractal dimensions are compared with data on heavy ion reactions and classical molecular dynamics simulations. A signature of the transition in the anomalous fractal dimensions is shown.We thank Profs. S. Ayik, M. Di Toro and V. Kondratyev for discussions. One of us (T.K.) acknowledges the support of INFN-LNS.     

Photochemically induced fluorescence investigation of aβ-cyclodextrin: Azure A inclusion complex and determination of analytical parameters

The photooxidation of Azure A and fluorescence properties of Azure A and its photoproduct have been investigated in aqueous media and in the presence of-cyclodextrin (-CD). The fluorescence intensity of the complex formed between the photoproduct and -CD was found to be three times higher than that of the uncomplexed Azure A photoproduct. A complex formation constant of 110±40 M^–1 was calculated using the Benesi-Hildebrand treatment of the fluorescence emission data. Although the stoichiometry of the Azure A photoproduct: -CD complex was found to be 1: 1, it seems that the Azure A structure is only partially included. Calibration graphs were plotted for the free Azure A photoproduct and the photogenerated product included in -CD. The analytical parameters and quantification limits were determined.     

Study of Electrical Conductivity of Para-Toluene Sulfonic Acid Doped Polyaniline/Polyester-Based Polyurethane Blends in the S-Band Frequency Range

Conducting polymer blends were prepared using polyaniline doped with para- toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA-PANI) and a polyester polyol-based polyurethane (PU). The morphological, thermal and dielectric properties of the PTSA-PANI/PU blends in the frequency range of 1–5 GHz (S band) were investigated. It was found that the morphology of the samples was affected by the PTSA-PANI loading, resulting in the formation of agglomerates and pathways when above 10 wt%. The thermal stability of the composites was improved with increased PTSA-PANI loading. The electrical conductivity percolation threshold was obtained at 2.5% of PTSA-PANI loading and the electrical conductivity reached the value of 0.13 S/m at a PTSA-PANI loading of 30 wt%. The obtained results for the PTSA-PANI/PU blends prepared indicate a high potential for their successful use in electrical and electromagnetic applications.     

Platinum electrode modified with polyterthiophene doped with metallic nanoparticles,as sensitive sensor for the electroanalysis of ascorbic acid (AA)

A novel electrochemical sensor for ascorbic acid (AA) detection based on platinum electrode modified with polyterthiophene (P3T) and doped with metallic particles (Cu, Co, Ag, Au, Pd) was constructed. The electrocatalytic performances of the modified electrode with polyterthiophene-metallic particles related to the detection of AA, showed a better catalytic activity compared to the modified electrode with polyterthiophene film. The obtained results demonstrate also that the use of P3T–Ag nanocomposite allows a good sensitivity; which gives a high response in oxidation peak of AA. In order to have a good performance using this sensor, several parameters such as polymerization time of the film and immersion time of the film in AgNO₃ solution were optimized.     

Non-linear structure of the light-intensity-output versus pump-input characteristics in self-pulsing lasers

This paper is intended to show that laser-intensity-output versus excitation characteristics of bad-cavity configured lasers deviate from the linearly expected evolution when these are driven beyond the instability threshold. These deviations result in collapsed curves with marked and discernible intensity-reduction at the onset of instability. Such behaviors are shown to be rooted in the fundamental and intrinsic aspects of both the single mode homogeneously-broadened laser and the inhomogeneously-broadened system. In addition, we clarify, for the first example, the physical origin of a hysteresis effect which is known to occur when the pump-input power is scanned from levels above to levels below the instability threshold. As for the inhomogeneous case, a lateral hole-burning effect, which takes place in the spectral profile at high excitations, is shown to shift the output-intensity towards higher levels, with respect to the steady-state values. Simple theoretical elements are put forward to identify the physical origin of these features.     

A new approach to A,B-difunctionalisation of cyclodextrins using bulky 1,3-bis[bis(aryl)chloromethyl]benzenes as capping reagents

1,3-Bis[bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)chloromethyl]benzene and 1,3-bis[bis(4-anisyl)chloromethyl]benzene were employed as regioselective capping reagents for the preparation of C-6A,C-6B-bridged, permethylated alpha- and beta-CD derivatives; isolated yields up to 55% of proximally capped, methylated CDs were obtained, thus opening the way to the straightforward preparation of a wide range of A,B-functionalised CDs. As revealed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study, the benzene-1,3-bis[bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)methyl] spacer is perfectly suited for A,B-capping of beta-cyclodextrin.     

General decay of solutions of a nonlinear system of viscoelastic wave equations

This work is concerned with a system of two viscoelastic wave equations with nonlinear damping and source terms acting in both equations. Under some restrictions on the nonlinearity of the damping and the source terms, we prove that, for certain class of relaxation functions and for some restrictions on the initial data, the rate of decay of the total energy depends on those of the relaxation functions. This result improves many results in the literature, such as the ones in Messaoudi and Tatar (Appl. Anal. 87(3):247–263, 2008) and Liu (Nonlinear Anal. 71:2257–2267, 2009) in which only the exponential and polynomial decay rates are considered.     

Polymeric tetra­aqua­tris­(malonato)­dilanthanum(III) monohydrate

The title compound, [La₂(C₃H₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₄]·H₂O, forms a layer‐type polymeric structure. The layers, which contain infinite puckered four‐membered La—O—La—O rings in a pseudo‐ternary symmetry, are formed by the lanthanum and one independent malonate group. They are interconnected by the second independent malonate group, giving a three‐dimensional framework in which wide channels accommodate one disordered water mol­ecule of crystallization. The La atom lies on a twofold axis and is ten‐coordinated by eight O atoms from carboxyl­ate groups and two water mol­ecules. One malonate group is monodentate and triply bridging chelating, whilst the other is doubly monodentate. The extensive network of hydrogen bonds and bridge bonds observed in this structure enhances the structural stability. Despite some identical subfeatures, this structure is quite different from that observed in [La₂(C₃H₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O.