Colossal positive and negative thermal expansion in the framework material Ag3[Co(CN)6

We show that silver(I) hexacyanocobaltate(III), Ag3[Co(CN)6], exhibits positive and negative thermal expansion an order of magnitude greater than that seen in other crystalline materials. This framework material expands along one set of directions at a rate comparable to the most weakly bound solids known. By flexing like lattice fencing, the framework couples this to a contraction along a perpendicular direction. This gives negative thermal expansion that is 14 times larger than in ZrW2O8. Density functional theory calculations quantify both the low energy associated with this flexibility and the role of argentophilic (Ag+...Ag+) interactions. This study illustrates how the mechanical properties of a van der Waals solid might be engineered into a rigid, useable framework.     

Gravitational Evidence for a Low-Density Mass beneath the Galapagos Islands

A residual negative free-air and Bouguer anomaly of at least 80 milligals, superimposed on a broader high, occurs over the Galápagos Islands The axis of the anomaly trends roughly east and plunges eastward. Thus, a low-density mass in the crust or upper mantle must underlie the archipelago. This anomaly may be caused by thermal expansion over a crust-mantle " hot spot".     

Linearly polarized emission from colloidal semiconductor quantum rods

Colloidal quantum rods of cadmium selenide (CdSe) exhibit linearly polarized emission. Empirical pseudopotential calculations predict that slightly elongated CdSe nanocrystals have polarized emission along the long axis, unlike spherical dots, which emit plane-polarized light. Single-molecule luminescence spectroscopy measurements on CdSe quantum rods with an aspect ratio between 1 and 30 confirm a sharp transition from nonpolarized to purely linearly polarized emission at an aspect ratio of 2. Linearly polarized luminescent chromophores are highly desirable in a variety of applications.     

Compressibility, Phase Transitions, and Oxygen Migration in Zirconium Tungstate, ZrW2O8

In situ neutron diffraction experiments show that at pressures above 2 kilobars, cubic zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) undergoes a quenchable phase transition to an orthorhombic phase, the structure of which has been solved from powder diffraction data. This phase transition can be reversed by heating at 393 kelvin and 1 atmosphere and involves the migration of oxygen atoms in the lattice. The high-pressure phase shows negative thermal expansion from 20 to 300 kelvin. The relative thermal expansion and compressibilities of the cubic and orthorhombic forms can be explained in terms of the "cross-bracing" between polyhedra that occurs as a result of the phase transition.     

Pressure-induced amorphization and negative thermal expansion in ZrW2O8

It has recently been shown that zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) exhibits isotropic negative thermal expansion over its entire temperature range of stability. This rather unusual behavior makes this compound particularly suitable for testing model predictions of a connection between negative thermal expansion and pressure-induced amorphization. High-pressure x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering experiments showed that ZrW2O8 becomes progressively amorphous from 1.5 to 3.5 gigapascals. The amorphous phase was retained after pressure release, but the original crystalline phase returned after annealing at 923 kelvin. The results indicate a general trend between negative thermal expansion and pressure-induced amorphization in highly flexible framework structures.     

宽柄芥F1代性状优势及其与亲本间的相关性分析

[目的]探讨宽柄芥F1代主要性状优势及其与亲本间的相关性,为宽柄芥杂交优势利用提供理论依据.[方法]以10个宽柄芥杂交组合(F1代)及其亲本为试材,采用随机区组设计,测定分析其生育期内的9个农艺和经济性状,并对F1代各性状优势指数间及其与亲本相应性状间进行相关性分析.[结果]宽柄芥F1代的单株产量和最大叶叶长极显著高于大值亲本值(BP)(P<0.01,下同),最大叶叶宽、中肋长、最大叶叶片数、株高和开展度显著高于BP(P<0.05,下同),但中肋宽和柄肋重与BP无显著差异(P>0.05),单株产量超亲优势主要受最大叶叶长、最大叶叶宽、柄肋重、中肋宽、株高和开展度等性状共同影响.相关性分析结果表明,F1代的最大叶叶长、最大叶叶宽、中肋长、株高和开展度与母本相应的性状呈显著或极显著正相关,中肋宽和单株产量与父本相应的性状呈显著正相关,中肋宽与双亲的中肋宽均值呈极显著正相关,中肋长、中肋宽、单株产量和株高与BP呈显著或极显著正相关,最大叶叶长和最大叶叶宽超亲优势与父本和BP呈显著或极显著负相关,中肋长和开展度超亲优势与BP呈显著负相关,株高超亲优势与父本、BP和双亲差值呈显著或极显著负相关,单株产量超亲优势受BP的负向影响明显.[结论]宽柄芥F1代的农艺和经济性状具有较强的杂种优势,可通过优势育种加以利用.     

Giant birefringent optics in multilayer polymer mirrors

Multilayer mirrors that maintain or increase their reflectivity with increasing incidence angle can be constructed using polymers that exhibit large birefringence in their indices of refraction. The most important feature of these multilayer interference stacks is the index difference in the thickness direction (z axis) relative to the in-plane directions of the film. This z-axis refractive index difference provides a variable that determines the existence and value of the Brewster's angle at layer interfaces, and it controls both the interfacial Fresnel reflection coefficient and the phase relations that determine the optics of multilayer stacks. These films can yield optical results that are difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional multilayer optical designs. The materials and processes necessary to fabricate such films are amenable to large-scale manufacturing.     

Molecular/Organic ferromagnets

Quantitative bulk ferromagnetic behavior has been established for the molecular/organic solid [Fe(III)(C(5)Me(5))(2)].(+)[TCNE].(-). Above 16 K the dominant magnetic interactions are along a 1-D chain and, near T(c), 3-D bulk effects as evidenced by the value of the critical exponents dominate the susceptibility. The extended McConnell model was developed and provides the synthetic chemist with guidance for making new molecular materials to study cooperative magnetic coupling in systems. Assuming the electron-transfer excitation arises from the POMO, ferromagnetic coupling by the McConnell mechanism requires stable radicals (neutral, cations/anions, or ions with small diamagnetic counterions) with a non-half-filled POMO. The lowest excited state formed via virtual charge transfer (retro or forward) must also have the same spin multiplicity and mix with the ground state. These requirements limit the structure of a radical to D(2d) or C>/=(3) symmetry where symmetry breaking distortions do not occur. Intrinsic doubly and triply degenerate orbitals are not necessary and accidental degeneracies suffice. To achieve bulk ferromagnetism, ferromagnetic coupling must be established throughout the solid and a microscopic model has been discussed. These requirements are met by [Fe(III)(C(5)Me(5))(2)].(+)[TCNE].(-). Additionally this model suggests that the Ni(III) and Cr(III) analogs should be antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic, respectively, as preliminary data suggest. Additional studies are necessary to test and further develop the consequences of these concepts. Some molecular/organic solids comprised of linear chains of alternating metallocenium donors (D) and cyanocarbon acceptors (A) with spin state S = 1/2 (...D.(+)A.(-)D.(+)A.(-)...) exhibit cooperative magnetic phenomena, that is, ferro-, antiferro-, ferri-, and metamagnetism. For [Fe(III)(C(5)Me(5))(2)].(+)[TCNE](-). (Me = methyl; TCNE = tetracyanoethylene), bulk ferromagnetic behavior is observed below the Curie temperature of 4.8 K. A model of configuration mixing of the lowest charge-transfer excited state with the ground state was developed to understand the magnetic coupling as a function of electron configuration and direction of charge transfer. This model predicts that ferromagnetic coupling requires stable radicals with a non-half-filled degenerate valence orbital and a charge-transfer excited state with the same spin multiplicity that mixes with the ground state. Ferromagnetic coupling must dominate in all directions to achieve a bulk ferromagnet. Thus, the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures are crucial considerations for the design of molecular/organic ferromagnets.     

植物功能性状及其叶经济谱对城市热环境的响应

目的了解植物功能性状及叶经济谱对城市热环境的响应,有助于从功能生态学角度理解植物对城市环境的适应机制。方法以北京热环境高温点和低温点常见绿化树种国槐、栾树和洋白蜡为研究对象,测定地表温度、土壤含水量及叶功能性状指标。结果(1) 城市热环境地表温度表现为高温点(HTR)显著高于低温点(CTR)(P < 0.05);土壤含水量则表现为CTR相对大于HTR,但未达到显著水平。(2)城市热环境对不同树种影响存在一定差异,其中对国槐、栾树的影响主要源于高温胁迫,对洋白蜡的影响主要源于干旱胁迫。(3)在城市热环境中,叶性状关系与全球尺度基本一致,比叶面积(SLA)与叶绿素含量(CHL)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶组织密度(LTD)呈极显著的负相关关系(P < 0.01);CHL与LDMC、LTD间存在极显著的正相关关系(P < 0.01);LDMC与LTD间呈现显著的正相关关系(P < 0.05)。气孔密度(SD)与气孔面积(SS)、气孔开度(SA)、SLA之间分别呈负相关关系,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。(4) RDA结果显示,植物功能性状指标中SLA主要受地表温度的正向影响(R2=0.97,P < 0.05),但土壤水分含量对它们具有负向影响(R2=0.75,P < 0.05);地表温度对LDMC、LTD、CHL有正向作用,但土壤含水量对它们有负向作用。结论全球叶经济谱在城市热环境中也同样存在,总体上向“快速投资-收益”型一端偏移,在HTR植物具有低的SLA,小的SS和SA,高的CHL、LDMC、LTD和SD,以适应高温、干旱的特殊生境。因此,在城市绿化植物配置时,在热环境高值区应选择耐高温、耐旱的树种,同时采取降温、灌溉等措施来降低高温的影响。      

Mechanism of polarized light perception

As background for a report on our current selective adaptation experiments in decapod crustaceans, the various facts and hypotheses generally relevant to intraretinal sensitivity to polarized light in arthropods as well as cephalopods have been marshaled. On the basis of this review, the following working hypotheses have been made. 1) One ommatidium in the compound eye is the functional unit in image perception but contains in its component retinular cells subunits which can work independently in detecting other visual parameters, such as polarization. 2) Single retinular cells do respond differentially to light polarized in various planes. 3) Light sensitivity, including e-vector detection, is localized in the rhab domeres, which comprise closely packed arrays of microvilli protruding axially from retinular cells; the dichroism of the photopigment molecules, which are contained within the microvilli, provides the molecular basis of e-vector detection. 4) The visual pigment molecules have their major dichroic axis aligned predominantly parallel to the long axis of the microvillus containing them; typically all microvilli in a single rhab domere are closely parallel to one another, thus comprising at the cellular level a unit dichroic analyzer with maximum optical density to photons vibrating in the direction parallel to these microvillous protrusions. 5) In most decapod crustaceans, in cephalopods, and in some insects the microvilli in all rhabdomeres of a retinula are oriented in only two directions, perpendicular. to each other. Therefore, e-vector perception must depend at the retinular level on a two channel system consisting of a pair of dichroic analyzers with their major transmitting axes fixed at a 90 degrees angle determined by the two directions of microvillus orientation. Our new results on selective adaptation in the eye of Cardisoma provide direct experimental evidence for such a two-channel analyzer in which the pair of functional units have their maximum sensitivity to polarization in the same retinal directions as the rhab dom microvilli observed in electron micrographs. In turn, these directions correspond with the vertical and horizontal axes of the animal's normal spatial orientation. In e-vector detection the seven retinular cells of a single decapod ommatidium thus form two operational subgroups of four and three cells, respectively (39). The correspondence of the electrophysiological evidence for a dual polarization analyzer with the perpendicular directions shown by the microvilli in a single rhabdom strengthens the idea that one ommatidium is enough for detecting e-vector orientation. On this evidence we may conclude that the model developed above for a two-channel polarization analyzer effectively accounts for the relevant spectrophotometric, fine-structural, electrophysiological, and behavioral data currently available for a considerable number of arthropods and cephalopods.     

Local ordering in the pseudogap state of the high-Tc superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta)

We report atomic-scale characterization of the pseudogap state in a high-Tc superconductor, Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta). The electronic states at low energies within the pseudogap exhibit spatial modulations having an energy-independent incommensurate periodicity. These patterns, which are oriented along the copper-oxygen bond directions, appear to be a consequence of an electronic ordering phenomenon, the observation of which correlates with the pseudogap in the density of electronic states. Our results provide a stringent test for various ordering scenarios in the cuprates, which have been central in the debate on the nature of the pseudogap and the complex electronic phase diagram of these compounds.     

Controlling molecular order in "hairy-rod" langmuir-blodgett films: a polarization-modulation microscopy study

The interplay of molecular weight, layer thickness, and thermal annealing in controlling molecular order in ultrathin Langmuir-Blodgett films is characterized with the use of polarization-modulation laser-scanning microscopy. The degree and direction of molecular alignment can be imaged rapidly and sensitively through the magnitude and orientation of linear dichroism in Langmuir-Blodgett films of rodlike poly(phthalocyaninatosiloxane) (PcPS). Images are presented for films as thin as two molecular layers ( approximately 44 angstroms). Molecular alignment along the transfer direction is much stronger for films of PcPS with approximately 25 repeat units ( approximately 10 nanometers long) than for those with approximately 50 repeat units ( approximately 20 nanometers long). Enhancement of alignment by thermal annealing is also much greater for PcPS-25 than PcPS-50. Intimate interaction with the substrate suppresses improvement in alignment by annealing, evident by an anomalously small increase in anisotropic absorption of the first two layers.     

低温下不同抗寒性冬小麦叶片组织结构比较

以强抗寒冬小麦品种东农冬麦1号和弱抗寒冬小麦品种济麦22为试材,应用光学显微镜和电子显微镜对不同低温下(5℃和-15℃)两个冬小麦品种的叶片显微、超微结构进行比较研究。结果表明,在5℃和-15℃低温下,东农冬麦1号和济麦22叶片的显微结构无明显差异,但超微结构差异较显著。东农冬麦1号类囊体基粒片层和基质片层跺叠整齐,沿叶绿体的长轴方向平行排列,而济麦22叶绿体内的类囊体排列方向无规则,与叶绿体长轴形成各种角度。在-15℃时,两个品种叶肉细胞的线粒体皆肿胀呈圆形,嵴的结构模糊,且济麦22有个别线粒体嵴消失现象。该研究结果可为冬小麦抗寒种质的选育提供理论依据。     

Thermal sensitivity in lichens

Lichens are believed to be extremely resistant to high-temperature stress when desiccated. Results from a reexamination of this concept indicate that some air-dry lichen thalli can be extremely sensitive to even moderate levels of heat stress whereas others exhibit a considerable degree of heat resistance. These differential levels of thermal resistance correlate exactly with the ecology of these populations.     

Elastic anisotropy of Earth's inner core

Earth's solid-iron inner core is elastically anisotropic. Sound waves propagate faster along Earth's spin axis than in the equatorial plane. This anisotropy has previously been explained by a preferred orientation of the iron alloy hexagonal crystals. However, hexagonal iron becomes increasingly isotropic on increasing temperature at pressures of the inner core and is therefore unlikely to cause the anisotropy. An alternative explanation, supported by diamond anvil cell experiments, is that iron adopts a body-centered cubic form in the inner core. We show, by molecular dynamics simulations, that the body-centered cubic iron phase is extremely anisotropic to sound waves despite its high symmetry. Direct simulations of seismic wave propagation reveal an anisotropy of 12%, a value adequate to explain the anisotropy of the inner core.     

Quantum phase interference and parity effects in magnetic molecular clusters

An experimental method based on the Landau-Zener model was developed to measure very small tunnel splittings in molecular clusters of eight iron atoms, which at low temperature behave like a nanomagnet with a spin ground state of S = 10. The observed oscillations of the tunnel splittings as a function of the magnetic field applied along the hard anisotropy axis are due to topological quantum interference of two tunnel paths of opposite windings. Transitions between quantum numbers M = -S and (S - n), with n even or odd, revealed a parity effect that is analogous to the suppression of tunneling predicted for half-integer spins. This observation is direct evidence of the topological part of the quantum spin phase (Berry phase) in a magnetic system.     

Origins of bilateral symmetry: Hox and dpp expression in a sea anemone

Over 99% of modern animals are members of the evolutionary lineage Bilateria. The evolutionary success of Bilateria is credited partly to the origin of bilateral symmetry. Although animals of the phylum Cnidaria are not within the Bilateria, some representatives, such as the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, exhibit bilateral symmetry. We show that Nematostella uses homologous genes to achieve bilateral symmetry: Multiple Hox genes are expressed in a staggered fashion along its primary body axis, and the transforming growth factor-beta gene decapentaplegic (dpp) is expressed in an asymmetric fashion about its secondary body axis. These data suggest that bilateral symmetry arose before the evolutionary split of Cnidaria and Bilateria.     

Thiamine pyrophosphate hydrochloride: stereochemical aspects from an x-ray diffraction study

The crystal structure of thiamine pyrophosphate has been determined by a three-dimensional x-ray analysis. The conformation of the molecule in the crystalline state is determined by the formal charge distribution within the molecule which exists as a zwitterion with the negative pyrophosphate chain folded back over the positive, ring portion of the molecule. The oxygen atoms in the pyrophosphate group are in the staggered conformation when viewed along the phosphorus-phosphorus axis. Even though the pyrophosphate is present in this compound as the monoionized monoester, the configuration is the same as that present in the inorganic pyrophosphate ion. From a comparison of three different crystal structures containing the thiamine moiety and from studies with atomic models, it seems plausible that the basic molecular conformation observed in this crystal is maintained in the catalytically active molecule. Knowledge of the detailed crystal structure provides new insight into the biochemical mechanism of reactions catalyzed by thiamine pyrophosphate.     

基于MATLAB的扎龙湿地归一化差值指数时间变化分析

以扎龙地区四期Landsat影像为基础数据,经过几何纠正、大气纠正等数据的处理工作,生成四期的扎龙地区的归一化差值指数图像。利用MATLAB分析扎龙地区主轴和副轴方向上的归一化差值指数变化,并由此分析扎龙湿地的植被覆盖和变化特征。结果表明,扎龙地区主轴和副轴方向上的归一化差值整体上均呈下降趋势,说明2个方向上的植被质量在下降。     

加热温度及时间对牛肉胶原蛋白特性及嫩度的影响

 【目的】通过研究不同加热温度和加热时间来探究胶原蛋白特性对嫩度的影响,为中国高熟度牛肉嫩度特性研究提供参考。【方法】将牛半腱肌肉在60、70、80、90和100℃水浴温度下分别加热30、60、90、120和150 min,通过测定剪切力、蒸煮损失、水分含量、质构特性、结缔组织机械强度、胶原蛋白含量及热溶解性、胶原蛋白共价交联以及扫描电镜等指标探究嫩度的变化规律,通过相关性分析得出影响嫩度的关键因素。【结果】随着加热温度的升高和加热时间的延长,牛半腱肌肉剪切力降低,蒸煮损失增大,水分含量降低;总胶原蛋白和不溶性胶原蛋白随着加热温度的升高其相对含量明显增加,随着加热时间的延长其相对含量变化不显著,可溶性胶原蛋白含量及热溶解性增加、羟赖氨酸吡啶啉（HP）相对含量上升、赖氨酸吡啶啉（LP）相对含量下降,黏着性增大,胶黏性、咀嚼性、凝聚性和回弹性减小。随着加热时间的延长,牛肉剪切力与蒸煮损失呈显著负相关（P＜0.05）;与水分含量、硬度、凝聚性、胶黏性、咀嚼性以及回弹性呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）;与总胶原蛋白、可溶性胶原蛋白、不溶性胶原蛋白含量、胶原蛋白热溶解性以及羟赖氨酸吡啶啉含量呈极显著负相关（P＜0.01）。总胶原蛋白、不溶性胶原蛋白的含量与蒸煮损失呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）;羟赖氨酸吡啶啉与肌肉的黏着性和总胶原蛋白含量呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）,与弹性、可溶性胶原蛋白以及不溶性胶原蛋白含量呈显著正相关（P＜0.05）,与胶黏性和咀嚼性呈显著负相关（P＜0.05）,赖氨酸吡啶林与弹性呈显著负相关（P＜0.05）,与凝聚性呈显著正相关（P＜0.05）,与回弹性呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）。与加热温度相比,加热时间对牛肉嫩度的影响更为显著。牛肉嫩度与胶原蛋白含量及热溶解性、HP、蒸煮损失、水分含量、硬度、凝聚性、胶黏性、回弹性和咀嚼性有关;胶原蛋白含量及热溶解性与蒸煮损失和水分含量有关。肌肉的黏着性、弹性、回弹性、凝聚性、胶黏性和咀嚼性等均与共价交联有关,胶原蛋白热溶解性与共价交联无关。【结论】高熟度牛肉的食用品质很大程度上取决于加热时长与胶原蛋白特性,胶原蛋白特性对嫩度的影响随着加热时间的延长而增加。胶原蛋白含量与热溶解性以及共价交联量通过影响肉的质构特性来改善嫩度。随着加热时间的延长,胶原蛋白和共价交联相对含量增加,结缔组织强度增加从而削弱了肌纤维对嫩度的影响,使嫩度得到改善。