Metal Auger intensity ratios as a probe for change-transfer effects in aluminum-covered transition metal

Marked changes in the LVV/LMV and LVV/LMM Auger intensity ratios of Co, Ni and Cu are observed on depositing Al on their surfaces. These changes, ascribed to charge-transfer or hybridization effects, are accompanied by changes in the intensity of the satellites next to the core levels of the transition metals.

Glass-Transition In Isopentane - A Monte-Carlo Study

Monte Carlo simulations with realistic interaction potentials have been carried out on isopentane to investigate the glass transition. Intermolecular pair-correlation functions of the glass show distinct differences from those of the liquid, the CH-CH pair-correlation function being uniquely different from the other pair-correlation functions. The coordination number of the glass is higher than that of the liquid, and the packing in the glass seems to be mainly governed by the geometrical constraints of the molecule. Annealing affects the properties of the glass significantly.

Sol → gel transition with rings in a finite polycondensing system in solution

We report a theoretical formulation for the mean cluster size distribution in a finite polycondensing system. Expressions for the mean number of n-mers with j bonds ( nj) are developed. Numerical calculations show that while the non-cyclic molecules make the dominant contribution to the small clusters, the large clusters are dominated by cyclic structures. The number of particles in ringless chains, n n,n-1, decays monotonically with n at all extents of reaction, but n n becomes bimodal near the gel point. We also find that the solvent plays an important role in the cluster size distribution.

Mixed valency in the high-temperature phases of transition metal molybdates,AMoO4 (A=Fe, Co, Ni)

Transition metal molybdates of the formulaAMoO4 whereA=Fe, Co or Ni exhibit a first-order phase transition between 670K–970K. An investigation of the lowtemperature (lt) and high-temperature (ht) phases by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and other physical methods shows that the phase transition is associated with a valence change of the typeA 2++Mo6+αA 3++Mo5+ in the cases of iron and cobalt molybdates.

Magnetic susceptibility studies of lead oxyhalide glasses containing transition metal oxides

Magnetic susceptibility studies of lead oxyhalide glasses containing high concentrations of transition metal oxides such as MnO and Fe2O3 have been performed. While they exhibit predominantly antiferromagnetic interactions, the low temperature (<100K) region is dominated by paramagnetic contributions. The behaviour in these glasses is found to be similar to that of covalent oxide glasses and is different from that of purely ionic sulphate glasses.

Insulating phase of a disordered system: Fermi glass versus electron glass

The authors examine the critical divergence of the low-frequency conductivity of the noninteracting Fermi glass and interacting electron glass models of the insulating phase of a disordered system as the metallic phase is approached. Results for the two are found to be rather different, which can be tested experimentally. In particular, for the electron glass, there exists a nonvanishing contribution to the dielectric constants from the low-frequency (hopping) conductivity even at low temperatures, which scales with the high-frequency (optical) contribution, and diverges with the same exponent at the insulator-metal transition.

Sequence dependence and role of 5'-phosphate in the B to Z transition

Spectroscopic studies on pd(CG)3 and pd(GC)3 have been carried out to elucidate the sequence dependence and effect of free 5'-phosphate on the B to Z transition. Unlike d(CG)3, pd(CG)3 fails to undergo salt-induced B to Z transition at ambient temperature. Model building studies have been carried out to determine the inhibitory role of the 5'-phosphate group, but have been unsuccessful.

Transition of EGA wheat breeding activities to Australian Grain Technologies

Transition of EGA wheat breeding activities to Australian Grain Technologies.

Glass transition. A new approach based on cluster model of glasses

The structure of real glasses has been considered to be microheterogeneous, composed of clusters and connective tissue. Particles in the cluster are assumed to be highly correlated in positions. The tissue is considered to have a truly amorphous structure with its particles vibrating in highly anharmonic potentials. Glass transition is recognized as corresponding to the melting of clusters. A simple mathematical model has been developed which accounts for various known features associated with glass transition, such as range of glass transition temperature,T g, variation ofT g with pressure, etc. Expressions for configurational thermodynamic properties and transport properties of glass forming systems are derived from the model. The relevence and limitations of the model are also discussed.

The Influence of Bilayer Composition on the Gel to Liquid Crystalline Transition

We report molecular dynamics simulations of bilayers using a united atom model with explicit solvent molecules. The bilayer consists of the single tail cationic surfactant behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (BTMAC) with stearyl alcohol (SA) as the cosurfactant. We study the gel to liquid crystalline transitions in the bilayer by varying the amount of water at fixed BTMAC to SA ratio as well as by varying the BTMAC to SA ratio at fixed water content. The bilayer is found to exist in the tilted, Lβ′ phase at low temperatures, and for the compositions investigated in this study, the Lβ′ to Lα melting transition occurred in the temperature range 330−338 K. For the highest BTMAC to SA composition (2:3 molar ratio), a diffuse headgroup−water interface is observed at lower temperatures, and an increase in the d-spacing occurs prior to the melting transition. This pretransition swelling is accompanied by a sharpening in the water density variation across the headgroup region of the bilayer. Signatures of this swelling effect which can be observed in the alkane density distributions, area per headgroup, and membrane thickness are attributed to the hydrophobic effect. At a fixed bilayer composition, the transition temperature (>338 K) from the Lβ′ to Lα transition obtained for the high water content bilayer (80 wt %) is similar to that obtained with low water content (54.3 wt %), confirming that the melting transition at these water contents is dominated by chain melting.

A multi-faceted approach for quantifying the estuarine-nearshore transition in the life cycle of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas.

Understanding the ontogenetic habitat linkages of sharks is important for conservation and managing human interactions. We used acoustic telemetry, catch data, elemental and stable isotope signatures and dietary analyses to investigate ontogenetic habitat use in south-east Queensland, Australia, by the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, a IUCN 'near-threatened' species that is implicated in many shark attacks on humans in urban estuaries. Sequential analyses for delta(15)N and delta(13)C of vertebrae from five adult C. leucas and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) for elemental composition from 23 C. leucas, including a pregnant female, were also used to trace ontogenetic habitat dependence. Acoustic telemetry indicated large juvenile and subadult C. leucas remained in estuarine habitats. delta(15)N values across shark vertebrae showed an ontogenetic shift in diet with total length (TL), confirmed by stomach contents. LA-ICPMS data reflected the ontogenetic movements of C. leucas from natal habitats. Differences among adults were gender related. Shifts in habitat use by subadults were correlated with a sigmoidal delta(13)C relationship with TL. C. leucas have a multipartite, stage-specific dependency in their transition between habitats along the freshwater-estuarine-marine continuum, making them particularly susceptible to the habitat alteration that is occurring globally.