Synthesis,composition, and magnetic properties of the ferrimagnetic NdCu3−xMn4+xO12 perovskite-like phases

A magnetic oxide with composition close of NdCu₃Mn₄O₁₂ with a perovskite-related cubic structure ($\text{a ? 7.30}$ Å, space group Im3, Z = 2) has been synthesized by using either the high-pressure or the hydrothermal technique. The composition is strongly dependent on the synthesis conditions. A partial reduction of Mn⁴⁺ in the octahedral sites, resulting in a partial substitution of Cu²⁺ by Mn³⁺ in the Jahn-Teller sites, leads to the actual formula Nd(Cu²⁺_3?xMn³⁺_x)(Mn⁴⁺_3?xMn³⁺_1+x)O₁₂. For the compound synthesized at 650°C/2 kbar, the value of the substitution parameter x, as determined by neutron diffraction, is 0.32. For samples synthesized at higher temperatures, larger values of x are obtained. The compound is ferrimagnetic with Néel temperature of 390 K and a spontaneous magnetization of 93 emu/g at 4 K (52 emu/g at room temperature). For larger x values, magnetizations up to 118 emu/g at 4 K are obtained.     

Synthese et reactivite d'organomagnesiens perfluores. V.[1] Synthese et identification de nouveaux composes perfluoroalkyles du mercure a chaine longue.

The reaction of mercuric salts HgY₂ or organic mercuric compounds R_HHgX with long chain perfluorinated Grignard reagents R_FMgBr leads to a series of new perfluoroalkyl mercury derivatives with the general formula R_FHgZ (R_F=C₄F₉, C₆F₁₃, C₈F₁₇ ; Z=R_F,R_H,Y with Y = I,Br,Cl, NO₃,OCOCH₃,OCOCF₃).The synthesis of these organomercuric compounds is described, and their spectroscopic properties are reported.     

Laminarin Induces Defense Responses and Efficiently Controls Olive Leaf Spot Disease in Olive

Olive leaf spot (OLS) caused by Fusicladium oleagineum is mainly controlled using copper fungicides. However, the replacement of copper-based products with eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. The use of plant resistance-inducers (PRIs) or biological control agents (BCAs) could contribute in this direction. In this study we investigated the potential use of three PRIs (laminarin, acibenzolar-S-methyl, harpin) and a BCA (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24) for the management of OLS. The tested products provided control efficacy higher than 68%. In most cases, dual applications provided higher (p < 0.05) control efficacies compared to that achieved by single applications. The highest control efficacy of 100% was achieved by laminarin. Expression analysis of the selected genes by RT-qPCR revealed different kinetics of induction. In laminarin-treated plants, for most of the tested genes a higher induction rate (p < 0.05) was observed at 3 days post application. Pal, Lox, Cuao and Mpol were the genes with the higher inductions in laminarin-treated and artificially inoculated plants. The results of this study are expected to contribute towards a better understanding of PRIs in olive culture and the optimization of OLS control, while they provide evidence for potential contributions in the reduction of copper accumulation in the environment.     

Magnetic and structural properties of FeCr alloys

Synergistic synchrotron x-ray absorption experiments using imaging magnetic microspectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and ab initio calculations on FeCr alloys reveal that the Cr content strongly influences the ferromagnetic microstructure and the Fe magnetic moments. The Cr local structure resolved by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is also found to be affected by the alloy's composition. Both EXAFS and ab initio calculations show a change in the Cr local atomic structure above 10 at.% Cr content from the distance contraction of the first two coordination shells around the Cr absorbing atom. These results indicate the strong dependence of magnetic and structural properties of these alloys on Cr concentration.     

Soot oxidation kinetics from TG experiments

Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) has been used extensively for soot oxidation studies. Its known experimental and computational difficulties, however, have led to extended criticism concerning the reliability of the extracted kinetics and their potential for reliable reaction modelling. This study explores if TG kinetics could lead to successful simulation results notwithstanding the related disputes. For this, TG and mini-scale soot oxidation experiments with oxygen (O₂) were conducted. The TG kinetics reliability was controlled through comparison with the corresponding mini-scale results and by the satisfactory simulation of the mini-scale experiments.     

A multicriteria DSS for stock evaluation using fundamental analysis

The paper describes a multicriteria decision support system which aims at presenting an evaluation of the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) stocks, on the basis of fundamental analysis. The system evaluates the stocks based on the method of fundamental analysis ratios, which is the most appropriate evaluation approach regarding investment decisions within a long term horizon. In addition to quantitative data deriving from fundamental analysis, the system uses qualitative data as well, in order to improve the reliability of the evaluation. The system introduced in this paper, utilises multicriteria analysis methodologies in order to rank the stocks by placing the best stock first and the worst last. Stock evaluation considers the specific characteristics of the potential investor, as well as his attitude towards undertaken risk. The final output of the system is four stock rankings which respond to four different criteria groups, depending on the type of accounting plan each listed company belongs to. The system incorporates a large volume of relevant information and operates in ‘real world conditions’ since its data are constantly updated. Finally, the system is intended for both institutional and private investors.     

Synthese et reactivite d''organometalliques perfluores. VII [1] reactivite comparee de derives perfluoroalkyles satures et insatures de l''etain et du mercure vis-a-vis d''electrophiles.

The reactivity of some derivatives of perfluorooctenyl-tin, perfluorooctenyl-mercury and perfluorooctyl-mercury towards protic acids, especially hydrogen chloride, is studied.

The easy cleavage of the tin - sp² carbon bond is painted out, and used to study possibilities of transferring the perfluorooctenyl radical on mercury, upon reaction with mercuric salts.

The mercury-perfluoroalkyl radical bond is shown to be, on the contrary, very resistant to an electrophilic attack.

These results are compared to those concerning the hydrocarbon analogs, and an interpretation, relied to the electronic density on the carbon atom bound to the metallic atom, is given.     

A computational evaluation of some free mathematical software for scientific computing

The purpose of this paper is to present a computational comparison of some well-known free mathematical programs. Specifically, these programs are FreeMat, Mathnium, Octave, R and Scilab. All these programs are designed in order to be used either in the scientific community or the industry. Moreover, an additional aim of this paper is to propose open source alternative software which can replace commercial mathematical software. Several issues concerning available operating system platforms, data structures, languages’ structure, matrix operations, program modularization, libraries, packages, profiling tools and online help facilities are addressed in this paper. Discussions on their weaknesses and strengths characteristics are presented. Finally, a speed comparison of some frequently used algorithms, procedures and operations within software is also presented.