A solvent-free Diels-Alder reaction of graphite into functionalized graphene nanosheets

A solvent-free Diels-Alder reaction was carried out by heating a mixture of graphite and a typical dienophile, maleic anhydride (MA) or maleimide (MI), in a sealed glass ampoule of argon. The functionalization of graphite with dienophiles was confirmed by various characterization techniques, suggesting the efficient functionalization and delamination of graphite into a few layers of graphitic nanosheets.close0

Fluctuation Relation for Heat

We present a fluctuation relation for heat dissipation in a nonequilibrium system. A nonequilibrium work is known to obey the fluctuation theorem in any time interval $t$. A heat, which differs from a work by an energy change, is shown to satisfy a modified fluctuation relation. Modification is brought by correlation between a heat and an energy change during nonequilibrium processes whose effect may not be negligible even in the $t\to\infty$ limit. The fluctuation relation is derived for overdamped Langevin equation systems, and tested in a linear diffusion system.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figur

Effects of the Spin-Orbit Coupling and the Superconductivity in simple-cubic alpha-Polonium

We have investigated the mechanism of stabilizing the simple-cubic (SC) structure in polonium (alpha- Po), based on the phonon dispersion calculations using the first-principles all-electron band method. We have demonstrated that the stable SC structure results from the suppression of the Peierls instability due to the strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in alpha-Po. Further, we have explored the possible superconductivity in alpha-Po, and predicted that it becomes a superconductor with Tc ~ 4 K. The transverse soft phonon mode at q ~ 2/3 R, which is greatly influenced by the SOC, plays an important role both in the structural stability and the superconductivity in alpha-Po. We have discussed effects of the SOC and the volume variation on the phonon dispersions and superconducting properties of alpha-Po.Comment: 5pages, 5figure

How the Republic of Korea's financial structure affects the volatility of four asset prices

The authors explore how Korea's financial structure affects the volatility of asset prices. Documented empirical evidence of the relationship between financial structure and financial crisis, sheds light on the relationship between asset price volatility - extreme variations in price - and financial structure. And the volatility of financial and non-financial asset prices provides an indirect link between an economy's financial structure and the likelihood of financial crisis. Using time-series data on a se of indicators measuring financial structure, the authors examine how Korea's financial structure affects the volatility of the real effective exchange rate, the money market rate, government bond yields, and stock prices. They find: 1) There is a stable long-term relationship between financial structure and volatility in the real effective exchange rate, the money market rate, stock prices, and the yield on government housing bonds. 2) Financial structure affects asset price variables asymmetrically. Some variables'volatility increases, and others'diminish, suggesting that monetary policies should target different asset markets to achieve different goals. If the goal of the monetary authority is to stabilize the money market rate, for example, intervening in the banking sector is more efficient than intervening in other financial sub-sectors. 3) The higher volatility of stock prices reflects the thin stock market in Korea. 4) The stability of the yield on government housing bonds reflects the Korean government's policy of stabilizing the nation's housing supply by isolating the housing market from the impact of Korea's financial structure. 5) Restrictions on foreigners'ownership of domestic stock in Korea during the periodanalyzed, and the fact that most capital flows through commercial banks, affect the exchange rate, which is determined (at least in the short run) by capital flows in the foreign exchange market.Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Economic Theory&Research,Fiscal&Monetary Policy,Markets and Market Access,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Financial Economics,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access,Banks&Banking Reform