Comments on “power-law falloff in the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase of a two-dimensional lattice Coulomb gas”

A simple argument is presented by which one can show that the critical inverse temperature _c of a two-dimensional Coulomb gas (standard or hard-core) with activityz satisfies , where in the low-activity limit. Previous results yield .     

The use of Tillandsia usneoides L. as bioindicator of air pollution in São Paulo, Brazil

Epiphytic bromeliadTillandsia usneoides was used as a biomonitor of metal atmospheric pollution in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The samples were collected from an unpolluted area and were exposed for 8 weeks in 10 sites of the city and in a control site. The data obtained showed that the control site presented lower concentration for most elements analyzed and the highest concentrations of Na, Cl, Br, K. The highest concentrations of Zn, Cu and V were observed in stations submitted to industrial and vehicular sources. The results obtained for rare earth elements, Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Rb and Sc indicate mineral dust origin. The elements Ba, As and Sb presented higher values in stations near streets with heavy traffic.     

Coordination of 2,2'-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline to yttrium and lanthanum complexes based on a scorpionate ligand

Reaction of yttrium and lanthanum trichloride with 1 equiv of sodium or potassium hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate and 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridine gives good yields of the complexes [MCl(2)(Tp(Me2))(C(10)H(8)N(2))] (M = Y (1), La (2)). The analogous compounds with 1,10-phenanthroline, [MCl(2)(Tp(Me2))(C(12)H(8)N(2))] (M = Y (3), La (4)), have been obtained by a similar procedure. The solid-state structures of 2-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and revealed that the compounds are all seven-coordinate with capped octahedral geometry. In contrast, reaction of yttrium trichloride with 1 equiv of sodium hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate in the presence of 1 equiv of neocuproine affords [YCl(3)(Tp(Me2))][Na(neoc)(3))] (5). Compounds 1 and 2 provide an entry for the synthesis of complexes containing the bipyridyl ligand in a radical anionic form or in a dianionic form. Reaction of 1 and 2 with an excess of sodium amalgam gives [Y(Tp(Me2))(bipy)(THF)(2)] (6) and [La(Tp(Me2))(2)(bipy)] (7), respectively. The structures of both compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 7 can be oxidized with iodine to give [La(Tp(Me2))(2)(bipy)]I (8).     

(Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile as a chiral dienophile: diels-alder reactions with furan and acyclic dienes

The behavior of (Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile (1) as a chiral dienophile has been evaluated from its reactions with furan and acyclic dienes. Electrostatic interactions of the cyano group with the sulfinyl one restrict the conformational mobility around the C-S bond, thus controlling the pi-facial selectivity, which is almost complete in all cases, the approach of the diene from the less-hindered face of the dienophile (that bearing the lone electron pair) in the predominant rotamer being the favored one. The regioselectivity is also completely controlled by the cyano group. Additionally, the reactivity of compound 1 as well as its endo-selectivity are both higher than those observed for the corresponding (Z)-3-sulfinylacrylates, thus proving the potential of sulfinylnitriles as chiral dienophiles.     

Uranium (III) scorpionates: synthesis and structure of [(TpMe2)2U[N(C6H5)2]] and [(TpMe2)2U[N(SiMe3)2]

Reaction of [(Tp(Me)2)(2)UI] with KNR(2) (R = C(6)H(5), SiMe(3)) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric trivalent actinide amide complexes [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(C(6)H(5))(2)]], 1, and [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(SiMe(3))(2)]], 2. The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state 1 and 2 exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries. The U-NR(2) bond lengths in both complexes are the same but in complex 2 the greater steric demands of the N(SiMe(3))(2) ligand led to elongated U-N(pz) bonds, especially those opposite the amido ligand.     

Time reversal in classical and quantum mechanics

A review of Wigner's time reversal is presented and some important aspects are emphasized. The subject is introduced via classical mechanics. Non-physical statements as time running backwards are avoided. Comments are made on the roles of time and of the operatori(/t) in quantum mechanics. The role of symmetries and conservation laws and some properties of the time-reversed states are discussed.Work supported by Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, Portugal.     

Metal Organic Framework-235 (MOF-235) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Catechol Determination in Water

MOF-235 is presented as an orange powder, with crystals of the octahedral formation. It was already used as adsorbent to remove different compounds from water; however, no attempts have been published about the exploration of the MOF-235 application as electrochemical sensor for organic compounds yet. MOF-235 was synthetized and after that, it was characterized by SEM, XRD and FTIR. Graphite electrodes (GEs) were modified with different MOF-235 ratio (5 %, 7 %, 10 %, 12 % and 14 %) and these modified GEs were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in order to determine the effect of MOF-235 concentration on the current response. Results indicated that, a significant improvement on the current response was attained at MOF-235(10 %)/GE respect to unmodified GE. This behavior is related to the pore structure and multiple active sites on the MOF surface. The performance of the MOF-235(10 %)/GE as electrochemical sensor for detecting catechol was assessed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Catechol detection response of MOF-based sensor provided a detection limit of about 12.79 μmol L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient (R²) of about 0.9928 ranging from 12 to 514 μmol L⁻¹. Finally, MOF-235(10 %)/GE was used to determine catechol in real water matrixes.     

Narrow band quantitative and multivariate electroencephalogram analysis of peri-adolescent period

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The peri-adolescent period is a crucial developmental moment of transition from childhood to emergent adulthood. The present report analyses the differences in Power Spectrum (PS) of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) between late childhood (24 children between 8 and 13 years old) and young adulthood (24 young adults between 18 and 23 years old). RESULTS: The narrow band analysis of the Electroencephalogram was computed in the frequency range of 0--20 Hz. The analysis of mean and variance suggested that six frequency ranges presented a different rate of maturation at these ages, namely: low delta, delta-theta, low alpha, high alpha, low beta and high beta. For most of these bands the maturation seems to occur later in anterior sites than posterior sites. Correlational analysis showed a lower pattern of correlation between different frequencies in children than in young adults, suggesting a certain asynchrony in the maturation of different rhythms. The topographical analysis revealed similar topographies of the different rhythms in children and young adults. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated the same internal structure for the Electroencephalogram of both age groups. Principal Component Analysis allowed to separate four subcomponents in the alpha range. All these subcomponents peaked at a lower frequency in children than in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: The present approaches complement and solve some of the incertitudes when the classical brain broad rhythm analysis is applied. Children have a higher absolute power than young adults for frequency ranges between 0-20 Hz, the correlation of Power Spectrum (PS) with age and the variance age comparison showed that there are six ranges of frequencies that can distinguish the level of EEG maturation in children and adults. The establishment of maturational order of different frequencies and its possible maturational interdependence would require a complete series including all the different ages.