Low Temperature Ground States and Field-Induced Phase Transitions in α-(BEDT-TTF)_2-MHg(XCN)_4 (M=K, Tl, Rb, NH_4; X=S, Se) (Research in High Magnetic Fields)

There have been observed in a series of isostructural α-(BEDT-TTF)_2MHg(XCN)_4\u27s a variety of ground states such as spin-density-wave metallic state (M=K, Tl, Rb; X=S), superconducting one (M=NH_4; X=S), and simple metallic one (M=K, Tl; X=Se). Current status of these researches is outlined, including the magnetic field effects on the first group which appear in high fields more than 20T at low temperatures

Determining ethylene group disorder levels in κ\kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2_2Cu[N(CN)2_2]Br

We present a detailed structural investigation of the organic superconductor $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu[N(CN)$_2$]Br at temperatures $T$ from 9 to 300 K. Anomalies in the $T$ dependence of the lattice parameters are associated with a glass-like transition previously reported at $T_g$ = 77 K. From structure refinements at 9, 100 and 300 K, the orthorhombic crystalline symmetry, space group {\it Pnma}, is established at all temperatures. Further, we extract the $T$ dependence of the occupation factor of the eclipsed conformation of the terminal ethylene groups of the BEDT-TTF molecule. At 300 K, we find 67(2) %, with an increase to 97(3) % at 9 K. We conclude that the glass-like transition is not primarily caused by configurational freezing-out of the ethylene groups

Suppression of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, by short-term field cultivation and soil incorporation of mung bean.

© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2021. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1163/15685411-bja10042Our previous study using pots reported that short-term growth of mung bean (Vigna radiata) may be useful to decrease the density of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, in soil. The objective of this study was to determine whether short-term growth of mung bean and its incorporation by ploughing decreased SCN density in infested fields. Firstly, we did pot experiments to evaluate the optimum temperature and moisture for hatching in soil. SCN hatching was stimulated at 25 and 30°C and not at 20°C; however, it was stimulated at alternating temperature conditions between 20 and 25°C. Soil moisture levels with pF 2.76 or less were required to stimulate SCN hatch in soil. Field experiments were done in Saitama, Kanagawa and Nara Prefectures, Japan. SCN density was reduced by nearly half even in control plots, in which mung bean was not cultivated and ploughed, in Saitama and Nara Prefectures. However, SCN density was reduced by nearly 80% or more in the three Prefectures, except for one plot in Kanagawa, and the soil temperature and moisture conditions were kept at around 20-30°C and at <pF 2.8. Increase in yield of green soybean by SCN control was estimated at 350 kg (1000 m)−2. Overall, the present study revealed that short-term field cultivation of mung bean and ploughing was a profitable method to decrease SCN density in infested fields and thereby to increase yield of green soybean.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio