Direct interpretation of the X-ray and neutron three-dimensional difference pair distribution functions (3D-ΔPDFs) of yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Three-dimensional difference pair distribution functions (3D-ΔPDFs) from X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments are reported for yttria-stabilized zirconia (ZrYO). A quantitative analysis of the signatures in the three-dimensional difference pair distribution functions is used to establish that oxygen ions neighbouring a vacancy shift by 0.525 (5) Å along ⟨1, 0, 0⟩ towards the vacancy while metal ions neighbouring a vacancy shift by 0.

Understanding the Water-in-Salt to Salt-in-Water Characteristics across the Zinc Chloride : Water Phase Diagram.

Using a series of time- and temperature-resolved synchrotron diffraction experiments, the relationship between multiple polymorphs of ZnCl and its respective hydrates is established. The δ-phase is found to be the pure anhydrous phase, while the α, β, and γ phases result from partial hydration. Diffraction, gravimetric, and calorimetric measurements across the entire ZnCl· HO, 0 > > ∞ composition range using ultrapure, doubly sublimed ZnCl establish the ZnCl : HO phase diagram.

Detection of immunoglobulin G levels produced by oral polio vaccine in HIV infected children in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Introduction: Disease eradication requires a long time and efficient management as compared to disease control program. After successful small pox eradication, polio virus causing poliomyelitis is choice for next eradication. The corner stone of the global polio eradication initiative is the immunization of children with multiple doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) through both Routine Immunization (RI) and Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs).

Aligning Practice to Policies: Changing the Culture to Recognize and Reward Teaching at Research Universities.

Recent calls for improvement in undergraduate education within STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines are hampered by the methods used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Faculty members at research universities are commonly assessed and promoted mainly on the basis of research success. To improve the quality of undergraduate teaching across all disciplines, not only STEM fields, requires creating an environment wherein continuous improvement of teaching is valued, assessed, and rewarded at various stages of a faculty member's career.

Ionic Liquid Character of Zinc Chloride Hydrates Define Solvent Characteristics that Afford the Solubility of Cellulose.

The recently described ionic liquid structure of the three equivalent hydrate of zinc chloride (ZnCl2·R H2O, R = 3, existing as [Zn(OH2)6][ZnCl4]) explains the solubility of cellulose in this medium. Only hydrate compositions in the narrow range of 3 - x < R < 3 + x with x ≈ 1 dissolve cellulose. Once dissolved, the cellulose remains in solution up to the R = 9 hydrate.

Crystalline and liquid structure of zinc chloride trihydrate: a unique ionic liquid.

The water/ZnCl(2) phase diagram in the vicinity of the 75 mol % water composition is reported, demonstrating the existence of a congruently melting phase. Single crystals of this 3-equiv hydrate were grown, and the crystal structure of [Zn(OH(2))(6)][ZnCl(4)] was determined. Synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction and IR and Raman spectroscopy along with reverse Monte Carlo modeling demonstrate that a CsCl-type packing of the molecular ions persists into the liquid state.

Magnetic bistability in a cobalt bis(dioxolene) complex: long-lived photoinduced valence tautomerism.

The thermal- and photoinduced valence tautomerism of a cobalt bis(dioxolene) complex is described. The thermal conversion is precipitous, complete within 10 K, and is accompanied by a 5 K hysteresis loop (107 K < T(1/2) < 112 K). Rapid thermal quenching (300 K --> 10 K in ca.

Mixed anion (phosphate/oxalate) bonding to iron(III) materials.

A novel phosphate/oxalate inorganic-organic hybrid material has been prepared to elucidate synthesis and bonding characteristics of iron(III) with both phosphate and organic matter (OM). Such mixed anion bonding of inorganic oxyanions and OM to iron(III) and aluminum(III) in environmental systems has been proposed but not proven, mainly because of the complexity of natural geochemical matrices. The compound reported here with the molecular formula of [C(3)H(12)N(2)](2)[Fe(5)(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(x)PO(4))(8)] (I) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

Effect of matrix crystal structure on ion abundance of carbohydrates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Sample preparation techniques for carbohydrate analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) are explored, with particular emphasis on analyte/matrix co-crystallization procedures. While carbohydrates are known to prefer 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB) as the matrix of choice, these analytes are quite specific about matrix crystal structure, which in turn is dependent on the rate of drying of analyte/matrix spots on the MALDI target. With N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid or NeuAc) as test monosaccharides, significant increases in ion abundances are demonstrated with 2,5-DHB/NeuAc spots (>10-fold improvement) and 2,5-DHB/GlcNAc spots ( approximately 5-fold improvement) with active drying.

Sorptive reconstruction of CuMCl4 (M = Al and Ga) upon small-molecule binding and the competitive binding of CO and ethylene.

Carbonyl adducts to CuMCl(4) (M = Al and Ga) have been characterized by single-crystal and/or powder X-ray diffraction, IR and diffuse reflectance UV/vis spectroscopy. Up to two equivalents of carbon monoxide ( approximately 200 cm(3)/g relative to stp) are sorbed at room temperature, with equilibrium binding pressures of below 0.5 atm of CO.

Frequency response of pig intervertebral disc cells subjected to dynamic hydrostatic pressure.

The pathogenesis of vibration-induced disorders of intervertebral disc at the cellular level is largely unknown. Dynamic loads with frequencies close to that of the in vivo human spine resonant frequency (4-6 Hz) have a destructive effect, which may induce extracellular disc matrix (ECM) degradation. To investigate this issue, three-dimensional (3D) alginate cultures of normal pig intervertebral disc nucleus and inner annulus cells were tested under dynamic hydrostatic loading.

Metallotropic liquid crystals formed by surfactant templating of molten metal halides.

Liquid crystals consist of anisotropic molecular units, and most are organic molecules. Materials incorporating metals into anisotropic molecules, described as metallomesogens, have been prepared. Anisotropic structures such as one-dimensional chains and two-dimensional layers are frequently observed in solid-state inorganic materials, however, little is understood about structural organization in melts of such materials.

Tuning the band gap in hybrid tin iodide perovskite semiconductors using structural templating.

Structural distortions within the extensive family of organic/inorganic hybrid tin iodide perovskite semiconductors are correlated with their experimental exciton energies and calculated band gaps. The extent of the in- and out-of-plane angular distortion of the SnI4(2-) perovskite sheets is largely determined by the relative charge density and steric requirements of the organic cations. Variation of the in-plane Sn-I-Sn bond angle was demonstrated to have the greatest impact on the tuning of the band gap, and the equatorial Sn-I bond distances have a significant secondary influence.

XANES investigation of phosphate sorption in single and binary systems of iron and aluminum oxide minerals.

Phosphate sorption on Fe- and Al-oxide minerals helps regulate the solubility and mobility of P in the environment. The objective of this study was to characterize phosphate adsorption and precipitation in single and binary systems of Fe- and Al-oxide minerals. Varying concentrations of phosphate were reacted for 42 h in aqueous suspensions containing goethite, ferrihydrite, boehmite, or noncrystalline (non-xl) Al-hydroxide, and in 1:1 (by mass) mixed-mineral suspensions of goethite/boehmite and ferrihydrite/ non-xl Al-hydroxide at pH 6 and 22 degrees C.

Property and morphology development in nanocomposite thermoplastic elastomer gels.

Thermoplastic elastomer gels (TPEGs), molecular networks composed of a microphase-separated multiblock copolymer swollen to a large extent by a low-volatility midblock-selective solvent, are ubiquitous in a wide range of contemporary technologies, including home and office products, athletic equipment, and telecommunications devices. In this work, we investigate the effect of several network-forming nanoscale modifiers-two different silica nanoparticles, three different nanoclays, and a multiwalled carbon nanotube-on the property and morphology development of a TPEG prepared from a microphase-ordered poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) triblock copolymer imbibed with an EB-compatible aliphatic mineral oil. Dynamic rheological measurements of the resultant nanocomposite TPEGs confirm that addition of these modifiers affects the linear viscoelastic threshold and increases, to different extents, the dynamic elastic modulus, the dynamic yield stress, and the maximum operating temperature of the parent TPEG.

Synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc) and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2) by solvothermal dehydration and structure/property correlations in a one-dimensional antiferromagnet.

The utility of the solvothermal dehydration strategy whereby superheated acetonitrile reacts with water of hydration to form ammonium acetate is demonstrated in the synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc), I, and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2), II, from MnCl(2).4H(2)O. The structure of I is shown to crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No.

Sorptive reconstruction of the CuAlCl(4) framework upon reversible ethylene binding.

Three ethylene adducts to CuAlCl(4) have been characterized by single crystal and/or powder X-ray diffraction, (13)C, (27)Al and (63)Cu MAS NMR and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy. (C(2)H(4))(2)CuAlCl(4), a = 7.1274(5) b = 12.

Diabetes, hypertension and birth injuries: a complex interrelationship.

Seemingly coincidental occurrence of various pathological conditions may derive from common etiologic denominators. While reviewing 240 malpractice claims involving shoulder dystocia related fetal injuries, we found two antenatal complications in the background conspicuously often. Chronic or pregnancy induced hypertension was identifiable in 80 instances (33%).

Designing intermediate-range order in amorphous materials.

Amorphous materials are commonly understood to consist of random organizations of molecular-type structural units. However, it has long been known that structural organizations intermediate between discrete chemical bonds and periodic crystalline lattices are present even in liquids. Numerous models--including random networks and crystalline-type structures with networks composed of clusters and voids--have been proposed to account for this intermediate-range order.

Electronic structure, electrical and magnetic properties of RMo(8)O(14) compounds (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) containing bicapped Mo(8) clusters.

Magnetic and electrical resistivity properties of RMo(8)O(14) (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) compounds containing different bicapped-octahedral Mo(8) clusters are discussed. Extended Hückel (EH) molecular calculations were carried out in order to study the influence of the position of metal capping atoms on the electronic structure of different Mo(8) isomers. Different optimal metal electron counts are possible for these clusters.

Vascular leukocyte sequestration in decompression sickness and prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen therapy in rats.

Background: Evidence for a causal relationship between decompression sickness (DCS) and leukocyte sequestration was assessed in a rat model based on the effects of interventions which impede cell-to-cell adherence, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2).

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that leukocyte adhesion to vessels may play a role in DCS.

Methods: Rats were subjected to decompression stress and their ability to ambulate on a rotating drum was assessed to quantify functional neurological deficits.

Benzene-Copper(I) Coordination in a Bimetallic Chain Complex.

The solvothermal reaction of CuCl and ZrCl(4) in benzene yields ((bz)CuCl(3))(2)Zr (1) (bz = eta(2)-benzene), which has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with a = 6.1206(4) Å, b = 11.1242(4) Å, c = 13.

alpha- and beta-CuAlCl(4): Framework Construction Using Corner-Shared Tetrahedral Metal-Halide Building Blocks.

Rapid quenching of a melt of CuCl and AlCl(3) results in the formation of the metastable framework structure, beta-CuAlCl(4). The structure, determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (space group Pna2(1), a = 12.8388(5) Å, b = 7.

The Hydrogen-Bonded Framework of the First Anti-Zeotype: [{(H NEt ) } (CuCl )][AlCl ].

A two-coordinate cationic link between [CuCl ] tetrahedra by means of two inversion-related dialkylammonium cations yields the hydrogen-bonded A X anti-cristobalite framework [{(H NEt ) } (CuCl )] . This novel cationic framework is constructed around space-filling and templating [AlCl ] anions resulting in large pores (16.6×6.