体育专业大学生指长比及其波动性不对称的特征

为探讨体育专业大学生指长比及其波动性不对称的特征,进而为体质人类学和优秀运动员身体形态特征的研究积累基础资料,本研究特招募374名18~25岁发育正常的汉族在校大学生为研究对象,按照专业和性别分为男生体育组（n=60）、男生普系组（n=143）、女生体育组（n=61）和女生普系组（n=110）,计算各个指长比及两侧指长比的波动不对称值并进行检验。结果显示男生体育组与男生普系组之间的指长比（R）存在统计学差异（P<0.05）,差异主要表现在R_2/5、R_3/5和R_4/5上,而女生体育组与女生普系组之间的指长比不存在统计学差异（P>0.05）。结果还显示男生体育组与男生普系组之间的偏差(σ)存在统计学差异（P<0.05）,差异主要表现在σ_2/3和σ_2/3上。而女生的指长比偏差在体育组与普系组之间不存在统计学差异（P>0.05）。通过分析讨论提示出大学生指长比及指长比偏差与性别和运动能力有关,R_3/5及σ_3/5可能与早期生长发育过程中的性激素的暴露水平有关,而且有望成为运动员选材的新生物标记。     

鮸形态性状与体质量的关系

为了研究鮸的形态性状与体质量之间的关系,测量了524尾12月龄左右鮸的体质量(Y, g)和8个形态性状(cm),包括全长(X₁)、体长(X₂)、头长(X₃)、躯干长(X₄)、尾长(X₅)、尾柄长(X₆)、尾柄高(X₇)和体高(X₈).采用相关分析、回归分析、通径分析以及模型拟合等方法对其进行分析.结果表明: 鮸所有性状两两之间存在极显著正相关关系,相关系数在0.834～0.941.经共线性诊断排除了体长这一具有严重共线性的性状后,采用逐步引入-剔除法进行多元回归并进行显著性检验,成功筛选出全长(X₁)、躯干长(X₄)、尾柄高(X₇)和体高(X₈)4个统计检验极显著的形态性状,并建立多元回归方程:Y ＝-444.188 +7.943X₁ +12.861X₄ +38.254X₇ + 42.722X₈.通径分析结果显示,4个形态性状中,体高对体质量的直接作用最大(通径系数=0.351),全长次之(通径系数=0.335).对全长和体高与体质量之间的函数关系进行曲线模型拟合得出,在6个拟合模型中,幂函数模型拟合效果最好,方程为:y=0.013 x^2.891(全长); y=2.028 x^2.751(体高).经适合性检验得知,全长比体高通过幂函数对体质量的预测效果更好.研究结果可为鮸的形态性状在选择育种中的有效利用提供重要参考.     

民勤绿洲—荒漠过渡带植物叶性状的研究

以民勤绿洲—荒漠过渡带20种主要植物为研究对象,通过对叶片6个功能性状的测定,分析荒漠植物叶性状的变异及相关性,比较不同功能群植物叶性状的差异性,探讨荒漠植物对环境的适应性,为该地区植被的恢复和重建提供理论依据。结果表明：①叶性状存在种间差异且变异程度不同,变异范围为14.11%~47.63%,叶绿素含量（ChlC）变异系数最大,叶片全氮含量（LCC）变异系数最小。②叶干物质含量（LDMC）与ChlC、LCC均呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）,ChlC与LCC呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）,其他叶性状间相关性不显著。③不同功能群植物叶性状存在显著差异。其中,豆科植物叶片LDMC、ChlC、LCC极显著高于藜科植物（P＜0.01）。草本植物叶片比叶面积（SLA）极显著高于灌木植物叶片（P＜0.01）。一年生植物叶片SLA、LNC显著高于多年生植物（P＜0.05）;多年生植物叶片LDMC极显著高于一年生植物（P＜0.01）;多年生植物叶片C含量显著高于一年生植物（P＜0.05）。C₃植物叶片LDMC、ChlC显著高于C₄植物（P＜0.05）;C₄植物叶片δ¹³C极显著高于C₃植物 （P＜0.01）;C₃植物叶片LCC极显著（P＜0.01）高于C₄植物。     

九种不同材性的温带树种叶水力性状及其权衡关系

不同材性树种的解剖、叶脉分布等结构性状差异会影响树木的水分运输效率和水分利用策略, 进而限制树木的生存、生长和分布。然而, 材性对叶导水率、水力脆弱性及其潜在的权衡关系的影响尚不清楚。该研究选择东北温带森林中不同材性的9种树种(散孔材: 山杨(Populus davidiana)、紫椴(Tilia amurensis)、白桦(Betula platyphylla); 环孔材: 蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)、胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica); 无孔材: 红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)、红松(Pinus koraiensis), 测量其基于叶面积和叶质量的叶导水率(K_area和K_mass)、水力脆弱性(P₅₀)、膨压丧失点水势(TLP)及叶结构性状, 以比较不同材性树种叶水力性状的差异, 并探索叶水力效率与安全的权衡关系。结果表明: 3种材性树种的K_area、K_mass和P₅₀均差异显著(p < 0.05)。无孔材树种的K_area和K_mass最低, 而散孔材和环孔材树种差异不显著; 环孔材树种P₅₀最高, 而散孔材和无孔材树种差异不显著。K_area和K_mass均与P₅₀显著负相关(p < 0.05), 但散孔材、环孔材和无孔材树种的相关关系分别呈线性、幂函数和指数函数关系。这表明叶水力效率与安全之间存在一定的权衡关系, 但该关系受树木材性的影响。K_mass与TLP显著负相关(p < 0.01), 其中散孔材和环孔材树种呈线性负相关, 无孔材树种呈负指数函数关系; P₅₀随TLP的增加而增加, 这表明树木在面临水分胁迫时, 其质外体和共质体抗旱阻力共同协调保护叶片活细胞, 防止其水分状况到达临界阈值。K_mass与叶干物质含量、叶密度、比叶重均显著负相关, 而P₅₀与之显著正相关(p < 0.01, P₅₀与比叶重的关系除外), 表明树木叶水力特性的变化受相同叶结构特性驱动, 树木增加对水力失调的容忍需要在叶水力系统构建上增加碳投资。     

福建闽南地区汉族与畲族的指长比

本文旨在研究福建闽南地区汉族和畲族指长比(R)的特点。随机选择福建闽南地区汉族506例（男性173例,女性333例）,畲族450例（男性231例,女性219例）,采用体质测量法,测量并计算左右侧6项指长比（R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5、R_3/4、R_3/5、R_4/5）。福建闽南地区汉族和畲族左、右侧指长比均呈R_2/3<R_2/4<R_3/4<R_2/5<R_4/5<R_3/5的趋势;汉族女性指长比左侧R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5、R_3/4、R_3/5和右侧R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5高于汉族男性（P<0.05）;畲族女性指长比左侧的R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5和右侧R_2/3、R_2/4高于畲族男性（P<0.05）;畲族男性指长比左、右侧R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5、R_3/5、R_4/5高于汉族男性（P<0.05）;畲族女性指长比左侧R_2/3、R_2/4和右侧R_2/3、R_2/4、R_2/5、R_4/5高于汉族女性（P<0.05）。同民族不同性别两侧R_2/4百分比分布差异有统计学意义,不同民族同性别右侧R_2/4百分比分布差异有统计学意义。福建闽南地区汉族和畲族指长比存在性别、侧别的不同,与其他地区、族群也存在差异。     

自然和人工生境被子植物枝木质部结构与功能差异

水是植物生存与生长的基础条件, 水分有效性影响植物木质部解剖结构、水力功能, 使之形成特定的适应特征。因此, 对比自然与人工生境中同一植物的水力功能与解剖结构差异, 有助于理解植物对水分环境的适应机理。该研究以湿润区三角槭(Acer buergerianum)、青冈(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)和女贞(Ligustrum lucidum)为研究材料, 对比分析了自然和人工生境中各物种的栓塞抗性(导水率损失50%时的水势(P₅₀))、输水效率(比导率(K_s))和解剖结构(导管直径(D)、导管壁厚(T)、导管密度(N)、木质部密度(WD)、厚度跨度比(t/b)²)特征, 探究了同生境种内与跨生境、跨物种水平的效率-安全权衡关系, 量化分析了水力功能与解剖结构的关系。结果发现: 1) 3种被子植物在自然生境中K_s更大, P₅₀更小, 与其更大的D、更小的(t/b)²有关。2)同生境种内K_s与P₅₀不存在权衡。3)功能性状和解剖结构相关分析表明: 同生境种内D与P₅₀不存在显著的相关关系; 除自然生境女贞外, T、(t/b)²均与P₅₀正相关。相对于人工生境, 在水分有效性低或无额外浇灌的自然生境中, 植物通过增大导管直径显著提高其输水效率, 从而避免水势下降、降低潜在栓塞风险。     

八个树种叶水力性状对水分条件的响应及其驱动因素

树木叶片的水力效率和安全性会对水分条件的改变做出一定的响应, 进而影响树木的生长和分布, 然而叶导水率(K_leaf)和叶水力脆弱性(P₅₀)对不同水分条件的响应模式及其影响因素尚不清楚。该研究选取了晋西北关帝山和黑茶山两种水分条件下的8种树种, 测量其水力性状、叶片导管和形态性状, 比较两地不同树种的K_leaf和P₅₀的变化, 分析叶片水力效率和安全性之间的权衡关系, 并探讨叶片水力性状在不同树种及水分条件下的响应模式及其驱动因素。结果表明: 对同一树种而言, 湿润的关帝山叶最大导水率(K_max)和P₅₀均高于干旱的黑茶山; 对同一地区而言, 从在高水分条件下生长的树种到在易干旱环境生长的树种, K_max和P₅₀均逐渐下降。K_max、P₅₀、膨压丧失点水势(TLP)之间均存在显著相关关系。两地叶片P₅₀与导管密度、导管塌陷预测值((t/b)³)、叶片厚度、比叶质量显著正相关, 与导管直径、叶面积显著负相关, 不同树种的K_leaf和P₅₀与叶导管性状的关系大于叶形态性状。同一树种的关帝山到黑茶山P₅₀变化量(δP₅₀)与比叶质量和叶干物质含量在两地的变化量显著正相关, 同一树种δP₅₀与叶形态性状变化量的关系大于与叶导管性状的。以上结果表明: 随着水分条件变差, 叶片水力效率降低, 水力安全性提高, 不同树种叶片水力效率与安全性之间存在一定的权衡关系, 不同树种叶水力性状的差别受叶导管性状影响的程度大于受叶形态性状的影响, 同一树种叶水力安全性对水分条件变化的响应主要依靠叶形态性状的驱动, 树木在提高自身叶水力安全的同时增加了叶构建的碳投资。     

Spatial variation and controlling factors of temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in forest ecosystems across China

土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是陆地碳循环与气候系统间相互作用的关键参数。尽管已有大量关于不同类型森林Q₁₀季节和年际变化规律的研究, 但是对Q₁₀在区域尺度的空间变异特征及其影响因素仍认识不足, 已有结果缺乏一致结论。该研究通过整合已发表论文, 构建了中国森林生态系统年尺度Q₁₀数据集, 共包含399条记录、5种森林类型(落叶阔叶林(DBF)、落叶针叶林(DNF)、常绿阔叶林(EBF)、常绿针叶林(ENF)、混交林(MF))。分析了不同森林类型Q₁₀的空间变异特征及其与地理、气候和土壤因素的关系。结果显示, 1) Q₁₀介于1.09到6.24之间, 平均值(±标准误差)为2.37 (± 0.04), 且在不同森林类型之间无显著差异; 2)当考虑所有森林类型时, Q₁₀随纬度、海拔、土壤有机碳含量(SOC)和土壤全氮含量(TN)的增加而增大, 随经度、年平均气温(MAT)、平均年降水量(MAP)的增加而减小。气候(MAT、MAP)和土壤(SOC、TN)因素间存在相互作用, 共同解释了33%的Q₁₀空间变异, 其中MAT和SOC是Q₁₀空间变异的主要驱动因素; 3)不同类型森林Q₁₀对气候和土壤因素的响应存在差异。在DNF中Q₁₀随MAP的增加而减小, 而其他类型森林中Q₁₀与MAP无显著相关性; 在EBF、DBF、ENF中Q₁₀随TN的增加而增大, 但Q₁₀对TN的敏感性在EBF中最高, 在ENF中最低。这些结果表明, 尽管Q₁₀有一定的集中分布趋势, 但仍有较大范围的空间变异, 在进行碳收支估算时应注意尺度问题。Q₁₀的主要驱动因素和Q₁₀对环境因素的响应随森林类型而变化, 在气候变化情景下, 不同森林类型间Q₁₀可能发生分异。因此, 未来的碳循环-气候模型还应考虑不同类型森林碳循环关键参数对气候变化的响应差异。     

响应面优化长白落叶松体胚形成早期培养条件的研究

以长白落叶松胚性愈伤组织为材料,通过Box-Behnken Design设计试验,建立以体胚发生量为响应值的响应面模型,优化长白落叶松体胚形成早期的培养条件。结果表明：相对离子浓度（P=0.007）、肌醇浓度（P=0.000）、培养周期（P=0.000）、肌醇浓度与培养周期的交互作用（P=0.007）对长白落叶松体细胞胚胎发生量的影响极为显著。长白落叶松体胚形成早期的最适培养条件为：相对离子浓度26.767 7% BM、肌醇浓度10.454 5 g·L^-1、培养周期12.656 6 d,预测体细胞胚胎的发生量为337.04 个·g^-1。为便于实际操作,验证试验将培养条件调整为：离子浓度25% BM、肌醇浓度10 g·L^-1、培养周期13 d,体胚平均发生量为336.46 个·g^-1,与预测值336.29 个·g^-1基本一致,体胚萌发率与生根率分别达100%和83.33±5.78%,与前期试验相比,长白落叶松体胚发生的数量和质量均有显著提高。     

低温对离体大鼠心室肌复极时程的影响及其机制

目的: 观察低温对离体大鼠心室肌复极时程及Kir2.1蛋白表达的影响,探讨Kir2.1蛋白在其中的作用。 方法:18只健康雄性SD大鼠, 随机分为3组(n=6),即正常对照组(C组)、35℃低温组(H₁组)和32℃低温组(H₂组)。制备Langendorff离体心脏灌注模型,37℃ K-H液平衡灌注15 min后,C组继续灌注37℃ K-H液30 min;H₁组继续灌注35℃的K-H液30 min,H₂组继续灌注32℃的K-H液30 min。记录各组平衡灌注15 min(T₁)和继续灌注30 min(T₂)时HR、左心室前壁三层心肌单相动作电位,计算单相动作电位复极50％、90％的时程(MAPD₅₀、MAPD₉₀)和跨室壁复极离散度(TDR),同时记录心律失常发生情况。取测量电生理的心室肌部位组织以Western blot测定Kir2. 1蛋白表达,以免疫组织化学法测量Kir2. 1蛋白的平均光密度值(AOD)及分布情况。结果: 与T₀比较,T₁时H₁组和H₂组HR显著减慢(P＜0.05), MAPD₅₀、MAPD₉₀显著延长(P＜0.05),TDR显著增大(P＜ 0.05);与C组比较,T₁时H₁组和H₂组HR显著减慢(P＜0.05),MAPD₉₀显著延长(P＜0.05),TDR显著增大(P＜ 0.05),Kir2.1蛋白表达显著减少(P＜0.05), AOD值显著减少(P＜0.05)。与H₁组比较,T₁时H₂组心率显著减慢(P＜0.05),MAPD₅₀、MAPD₉₀显著延长(P＜0.05),TDR显著增大(P＜0.05)。C组Kir2.1蛋白分布正常,H₁、H₂组蛋白分布紊乱。结论: 低温会延长心室复极时程,增加复极离散度,其机制与低温下调Kir2.1蛋白表达、改变Kir2.1蛋白分布有关。     

油蒿资源利用效率在生长季的相对变化及对环境因子的响应

为了探明西北半干旱区典型沙生植物油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)叶水平资源利用效率的相对变化及对环境因子的响应机制, 该研究于2018年5-10月, 使用LI-6400XT便携式光合仪测定了毛乌素沙地油蒿叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(E)、叶表面光合有效辐射(PAR_l)、叶表面温度(T_l)、叶表面相对湿度(RH_l), 在实验室计算叶片单位面积氮含量(N_area), 分析了叶片氮利用效率(NUE)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光利用效率(LUE)与环境因子之间的关系及NUE、WUE、LUE之间的相对变化。研究结果表明, 在充足且稳定光强下油蒿的P_n主要受温度的影响, NUE、WUE与VPD_l、T_l之间具有显著负相关关系, NUE、WUE与LUE间为正相关关系, NUE、WUE和LUE最大值分别发生在5、7和9月, 分别为9.43 μmol CO₂·g^-1·s^-1、3.86 mmol·mol^-1、0.04 mol·mol^-1, 资源利用效率的变化主要受P_n的影响。温度通过影响植物N分配来改变P_n, 进而影响着资源利用效率, WUE与LUE显著正相关, 对构建荒漠区生态系统能量交换过程模型有重要意义。     

Structures and magnetism of rubidium and cesium salts of dimeric oxovanadium(IV) tartrate(4−) complexes

Complexes of type A₄[VO(tart)]₂·nH₂O, where A = Rb or Cs and tart =d,l-tartrate(4−) (n = 2) or d,d-tartrate(4−) (n = 2 for Rb and n = 3 for Cs), were prepared from an aqueous mixture of V₂O₅, AOH and H₄tart. These complexes were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods: Rb₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P1 with a = 8.156(1),b = 8.246(1),c = 8.719(1)Å, = 66.09(1)°, β = 65.07(1)°, γ = 82.40(1)°,Z = 2, 1917 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.035; Cs₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P₂₁/c with a = 9.350(1),b = 13.728(2),c = 8.479(1)Å, β = 106.77(1)°,Z = 4, 2235 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.054; Rb₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P₄₁₂₂ with a = 8.072(1),c = 32.006(3)Å,Z = 8, 1014 observed reflections and final R_w = 0.038; Cs₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·3H₂O, space group P₁₂₂ with a = 8.184(1),c = 33.680(5)Å,Z = 8, 1310 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.063. Bulk magnetic susceptibility data (1.5–300 K) for these compounds and A₄[VOl,l-tart)]₂·nH₂O (A = Rb, Cs) were obtained on polycrystalline samples. These data were analyzed in terms of a Van Vleck exchange coupled S = 1/2 model which was modified to include an interdimer exchange parameters Θ. Analysis of the low-temperature (1.5–20 K) susceptibility data gave 2J = +1.30 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −1.86 K for Rb₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.16 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −1.69 K for Cs₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.90 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.82 K for Rb₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +2.04 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.80 K for Rb₄[VO(l,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.52 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.25 K for Cs₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·3H₂O, and 2J = +1.64 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.31 K for Cs₄[VO(l,l-tart)]₂·3H₂O. These results suggest the magnitudes of intradimer (ferromagnetic and interdimer (antiferromagnetic) exchange interactions are similar in these complexes, as observed for the analogous Na salts.     

Fractal structure and conformational entropy of protein chain

The structures of 25 proteins arbitrarily chosen are investigated by fractal geometry, and their fractal dimensions (D_f) and conformational entropies S(N₀) are calculated by Havlin—Ben Avraham and Monte Carlo method, respectively. Comparison of the D_f and S(N₀) gives the relation: D_f = 1.532 - 3.00 × 10⁻⁴ S(N₀). The entropy data obtained by Monte Carlo method for the chain of random self-avoiding walks confirm the prediction of renormalization group: S(N₀) = 1.544N₀ + 0.1667 In N₀ + 0.1570 where N₀ is the number of residues in a protein chain. Both the D_f and S(N₀) reflect the conformational properties of a protein molecular chain. The idea resulting from the present communication suggests that the thermodynamic behaviours of proteins may be related to multifractals.     

Biological activities of gibberellins and their glucosides in Pharbitis nil

Growth-promoting effects of gibberellins and their glucosides isolated from immature seeds of Japanese morning glory (Pharbitis nil) were compared in six bioassay systems. GA₃ glucoside exhibited much less activity than GA₃ in the dwarf rice (under aseptic conditions), dwarf maize (d₁, d₂ and d₅), cucumber and dwarf pea assays. GA₈, GA₂₆, GA₂₇ and GA₂₉ showed low activities in all the bioassay systems, while their glucosides were even less active. Thus gibberellin glucosides do not appear to be active in growth regulation.     

Thermochemistry of aqueous solutions of alkylated nucleic acid bases. II. Apparent molar relative enthalpies of dilution of solutions containing uracil and thymine derivatives

Apparent molar relative enthalpies of dilution φ_Lof aqueous solutions of a series of alkylated diketopyrimidines: m¹Ura, m^1,3₂Ura, m^1,3₂Thy, m^1,3,6₃Ura and e^1,3₂Thy were measured as a function of concentration of the solutes at three temperatures 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K. Dilution proved to be an endothermic process over the whole range of molalities m and temperatures studied for all compounds except the e^1,3₂Thy solution, the dilution of which, with the exception of the lowest concentrations (m > 0.2–0.3) was an exothermic process. Partial molar relative enthalpies of dilution -L₂(m) derived from φ_L(m) functions were analysed as if they were composed of two additive contributions: an endothermic one -L₂, (m₁) and an exothermic one 1.2, (m_as0), owing to the presence in the solutions of a free monomer m₁ or associated species m_as, respectively. Partial molar heat capacities of the solutes, evaluated by differentiation of -L₂(m) functions in respect to temperature, decreased with the rise of concentration in the order of the tendency of the solutes to stacking association. Changes in heat content and in heat capacity of solutions upon their dilution are interpreted in terms of involvement of hydrophobic hydration and association of the solutes.     

Piezoelectric properties of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers of β-hydroxybutyrate and β-hydroxyvalerate

The shear piezoelectricity was observed in oriented films of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers of β-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and β-hydroxyvalerate (HV). The piezoelectric stress constant 3₁₄ = e′₁₄ − ie″₁₄ (polarization/strain), the piezoelectric strain constant d₁₄ = d′₁₄ − id″₁₄ (polarization/stress), the elastic constant c = c′ + ic″ and the dielectric constant = ′ − i″ were determined at a frequency of 10 Hz over a temperature range from −150° to +150°C. Piezoelectric relaxations as well as elastic and dielectric relaxations were clearly observed at the glass transition temperature of about 15°C. In order to evaluate the piezoelectric constants (e₂ and d₂) for the piezoelectric phase which consists of the crystalline region and the oriented non-crystalline region, a spherical dispersion two phase model was utilized. Assuming the appropriate fixed values for the elastic and dielectric constants in the piezoelectric phase, d₂ and d₂ were calculated as a function of temperature. For a PHB and a copolymer (17 HV/83 HB), e₂ and d₂ showed relaxations, leading to a conclusion that the instantaneous piezoelectric constant in the crystalline phase is constant independent of temperature but the piezoelectric constant in the oriented non-crystalline phase is relaxational and has the opposite sign. For a copolymer (25 HV/75 HB) and a chloroform treated copolymer (17 HV/83 HB), e₂ and d₂ were constant independent of temperature, indicating that the oriented non-crystalline phase has disappeared owing to the increased molecular flexibility due to copolymerization or annealing in chloroform vapour.     

The synthesis and structural characterization of carborane oligomers connected by carbon-carbon and carbon-boron bonds between icosahedra

The reaction of dilithiated o-carborane (closo-1,2-Li₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀) with CuCl₂ gives 1,1′-bis(o-carborane) (1), 1,3′-bis(o-carborane) (2) and 1,4′-bis(o-carborane) (3). Compound 2 (C₄B₂₀H₂₂) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with A = 6.9275(6), B = 9.7655(8), C = 12.356(1) Å, β = 90.028(2)° and Z = 2. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.048 and R_w = 0.074. Compound 3 (C₄B₂₀H₂₂) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with A = 6.8854(5), B = 12.523(1), C = 19.847(1) Å and Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.078 and R_w = 0.091. The coupling reaction of dilithiated m-carborane (closo-1,7-Li₂-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀) with CuCl₂ results in the formation of 1,1′-bis(m-carborane) (4) and tetra(m-carborane) (5).     

Critical exponents for sol–gel transition in aqueous alginate solutions induced by cupric cations

The sol–gel transition in aqueous alginate solutions of four alginate samples having different molecular weights (M_W) and M/G ratios induced by cupric cations was monitored by rheology measurements. The gel point f_gel and the relaxation critical exponent n were determined using the Winter’s criterion over the alginate concentration C_Alg of 1–4 wt%. The scaling for the zero shear viscosity η₀ before the gel point and the equilibrium modulus G_e after the gel point was established against the relative distance ε from the gel point at the concentration of C_Alg = 1 wt%, giving the critical exponents k and z. The results indicated that f_gel was almost independent of the alginate concentration and became higher for the sample with lower molecular weight. The critical exponent n decreased with the increase in C_Alg for these four Cu-alginate samples and the fractal dimension d_f estimated from n suggested a denser structure in the critical gel with high G content. The critical exponent n evaluated from k and z agreed well with n determined from the Winter’s criterion.