Phenomenological rules for the computation of magneto-electric susceptibilities

Applying the model of the anharmonic oscillator, phenomenological expressions were derived, allowing calculation of the components of tensors describing non-linear magneto-electric susceptibilities. Detailed calculations were carried out for the pseudo-tensor of fourth order ^eeem in terms of which magneto-optical birefringence and rotation are expressed for the monocrystals KDP, DKDP, ADP, KDA, LiNbO₃, LiTaO₃ and NaClO₃. From the results obtained it follows that non-linear magneto-electric susceptibilities, which are described by the pseudo-tensor ^eeem are of the order of 10^–16 m V^–1T^–1.Part of this work was carried out under Research Project MR 15.     

Irreducible unitary representations of quantum Lorentz group

A complete classification of irreducible unitary representations of a one parameter deformationS _q L(2,C) (0<q<1) ofSL(2,C) is given. It shows that in spite of a popular belief the representation theory forS _q L(2,C) is not a smooth deformation of the one forSL(2,C).     

Interaction of isomeric forms of xanthophyll pigment zeaxanthin with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine studied in monomolecular layers

Two-component monomolecular layers were formed with DPPC and two stereoisomers of zeaxanthin 9-cis and 13-cis at the argon-water interface. Very distinct over-additivity which represents affection of a lipid arrangement in the membrane has been observed in the case of zeaxanthin 9-cis (maximum at 20 mol%) but not in the case of zeaxanthin 13-cis. The differences in the organization of the isomers of zeaxanthin-DPPC monolayers are interpreted in terms of the different orientation of both xanthophylls at the interface observed at relatively high surface pressures (>25 mN/m) comparable to the surface pressures of biomembranes. The results are consistent with the model according to which zeaxanthin 9-cis adopts a vertical orientation at the polar-nonpolar interface in contrast to zeaxanthin 13-cis, which is oriented horizontally owing to the fact that it interacts by two hydroxyl groups with the same hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface in the monolayer. The findings are discussed in comparison with the behavior of zeaxanthin in the conformation all-trans in the same system. Zeaxanthin all-trans forms efficiently molecular aggregates in the mixed monolayers in contrast to cis isomers. Circular dichroism measurements show the formation of molecular structures by zeaxanthin 13-cis that are interpreted as dimers. FTIR measurements show that these dimers are stabilized by van der Waals interactions unlike aggregated structures formed by all-trans zeaxanthin that are stabilized by hydrogen bonding. Physiological importance of the differences in aggregation and orientation of stereoisomers of zeaxanthin in lipid environment is discussed.     

Application of the iodine-azide reaction to the catalytic determination of divalent sulphur compounds in alcoholic medium: Determination of ethylenethiourea in some biological materials

A new catalytic method for the determination of divalent sulphur compounds, which are soluble or insoluble in water, based on the iodine–azide reaction in various alcoholic solutions is described. As model divalent sulphur catalysts the sodium sulphide and thiourea were chosen. Determination of ethylenethiourea in alcoholic extracts from apples and bananas was an example of practical application of the proposed method. To that purpose five previous elaborated techniques were adopted: titration, volumetric, gas chromatographic, enthalpimetric and potentiometric. The effect of other organic solvents, salts, acids and pH on the determination of divalent sulphur catalysts was also evaluated.     

C12 hydroxyester ethoxylates as nonionic surfactants

A series of ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol mono-isobutyrate representing a synthetic C12 hydroxyester hydrophobe was obtained. The solubility parameters, surface tension and critical micelle concentrations for model solutions were investigated. The new surfactants were found to produce extremely low foam levels and a non-standard surface interfacial behavior was determined. It was observed that the ethoxylates of the C12 hydroxyester formed an oriented monolayer at the interface regardless of their average polyaddition degree. Such behavior is different from the surface activities of commonly known linear nonionic surfactants and it indicates self organization of the surfactants at the interface. This feature offers possibility for application of these surfactants in nanotechnology as well as in the conventional cleaning processes.     

A DFT/TD DFT study of the structure and spectroscopic properties of 5-methyl-2-(8-quinolinyl)benzoxazole and its complexes with Zn(II) ion

The structure and spectroscopic properties of 5-methyl-2-(8-quinolinyl)benzoxazole and its complexes with Zn(II) ion were studied using a DFT and TD DFT methods with def2-TZVP basis set. It was shown that the type of functional used (B3-LYP or pbe0) implemented in TURBOMOLE package does not have essential influence on the geometry (small differences in bond length, valence and dihedral angles) of studied compounds in both ground and excited states. However, significant differences were obtained for the position of vertical absorption and emission transition but not for the oscillator strength of transition. Application of pbe0 functional seems to reproduce better the experimental spectrum.     

In search of elementary spin 0 particles

The Standard Model of strong and electroweak interactions uses point-like spin 1/2 particles as the building bricks of matter and point-like spin 1 particles as the force carriers. One of the most important questions to be answered by the present and future particle physics experiments is whether the elementary spin 0 particles exist, and if they do, what are their interactions with the spin 1/2 and spin 1 particles. Spin 0 particles have been searched extensively over the last decades. Several initial claims of their discoveries were finally disproved in the final experimental scrutiny process. The recent observation of the excess of events at the LHC in the final states involving a pair of vector bosons, or photons, is commonly interpreted as the discovery of the first elementary scalar particle, the Higgs boson. In this paper we recall examples of claims and subsequent disillusions in precedent searches spin 0 particles. We address the question if the LHC Higgs discovery can already be taken for granted, or, as it turned out important in the past, whether it requires a further experimental scrutiny before the existence of the first ever found elementary scalar particle is proven beyond any doubt. An example of the Double Drell–Yan process for which such a scrutiny is indispensable is discussed in some detail.     

Calorimetry in the studies of cement hydration

Calorimetry was applied to an investigation of the early hydration of Portland cement (PC)–calcium aluminate cement (CAC) pastes. The heat evolution measurements were related to the strength tests on small cylindrical samples and standard mortar bars. Different heat-evolution profiles were observed, depending on the calcium aluminate cement/Portland cement ratio. The significant modification of Portland cement heat evolution profile within a few hours after mixing with water was observed generally in pastes containing up to 25% CAC. On the other hand the CAC hydration acceleration effect was also obtained with the 10% and 20% addition of Portland cement. As one could expect the compressive and flexural strength development was more or less changed—reduced in the presence of larger amount of the second component in the mixture, presumably because of the internal cracks generated by expansive calcium sulfoaluminate formation.