Spiral Chains Research Articles

Using spiral chain models for study of nanoscroll structures

Molecular nanoribbons with different chemical structures can form scrolled packings possessing outstanding properties and application perspectives due to their morphology. Here, we propose a simplified two-dimensional model of the molecular chain that allows us to describe the molecular nanoribbon's scrolled packings of various structures as a spiral packaging chain. The model allows us to obtain the possible stationary states of single-layer nanoribbon scrolls of graphene, graphane, fluorographene, fluorographane (graphene hydrogenated on one side and fluorinated on the other side), graphone ${\mathrm{C}}_{4}\mathrm{H}$ (graphene partially hydrogenated on one side), and fluorographone ${\mathrm{C}}_{4}\mathrm{F}$. The obtained states and the states of the scrolls found through all-atomic models coincide with good accuracy. We show the stability of scrolled packings and calculate the dependence of energy, the number of coils, and the inner and outer radius of the scrolled packing on the nanoribbon length. It is shown that a scrolled packing is the most energetically favorable conformation for nanoribbons of graphene, graphane, fluorographene, and fluorographane at large lengths. A double-scrolled packing when the nanoribbon is symmetrically rolled into a scroll from opposite ends is more advantageous for longer length nanoribbons of graphone and fluorographone. We show the possibility of the existence of scrolled packings for nanoribbons of fluorographene and the existence of two different types of scrolls for nanoribbons of fluorographane, which correspond to the left and right Archimedean spirals of the chain model. The simplicity of the proposed model allows us to consider the dynamics of molecular nanoribbon scrolls of sufficiently large lengths and at sufficiently large time intervals.

Gyrotropic effects in trigonal tellurium studied from first principles

We present a combined ab initio study of several gyrotropic effects in p-doped trigonal tellurium (effects that reverse direction with the handedness of the spiral chains in the atomic structure). The key ingredients in our study are the k-space Berry curvature and intrinsic orbital magnetic moment imparted on the Bloch states by the chirality of the crystal structure. We show that the observed sign reversal with temperature of the circular photogalvanic effect can be explained by the presence of Weyl points near the bottom of the conduction band acting as sources and sinks of Berry curvature. The passage of a current along the trigonal axis induces a rather small parallel magnetization, which can nevertheless be detected by optical means (Faraday rotation of transmitted light) due to the high transparency of the sample. In agreement with experiment, we find that when infrared light propagates antiparallel to the current at low doping the current-induced optical rotation enhances the natural optical rotation. According to our calculations the plane of polarization rotates in the opposite sense to the bonded atoms in the spiral chains, in agreement with a recent experiment that contradicts earlier reports.

Improper magnetic ferroelectricity of nearly pure electronic nature in helicoidal spiral CaMn7O12

The noncollinear cycloidal magnetic order breaks the inversion symmetry in CaMn$_{7}$O$_{12}$, generating one of the largest spin-orbit driven ferroelectric polarizations measured to date. In this Letter, the microscopic origin of the polarization, including its direction, charge density redistribution, magnetic exchange interactions, and its coupling to the spin helicity, is explored via first principles calculations. The Berry phase computed polarization exhibits almost pure electronic behavior, as the Mn displacements are negligible, $\approx$~0.7~m\textrm{\AA}. The polarization magnitude and direction are both determined by the Mn spin current, where the \emph{p}-\emph{d} orbital mixing is driven by the inequivalent exchange interactions within the \emph{B}-site Mn cycloidal spiral chains along each Cartesian direction. We employ the generalized spin-current model with Heisenberg-exchange Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction energetics to provide insight into the underlying physics of this spin-driven polarization. Persistent electronic polarization induced by helical spin order in nearly inversion-symmetric ionic crystal lattices suggests opportunities for ultrafast magnetoelectric response.

Streptomyces thermoalkaliphilus sp. nov., an alkaline cellulase producing thermophilic actinomycete isolated from tropical rainforest soil

During an investigation exploring potential sources of novel thermophilic species and natural products, a novel thermophilic and alkaliphilic actinomycete with alkaline cellulase producing ability, designated strain 4-2-13T, was isolated from soil of a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, China. The morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain 4-2-13T are consistent with those of the members of the genus Streptomyces. The strain forms extensively branched aerial mycelia and substrate mycelia. Spiral spore chains were observed on aerial mycelia; spores were oval to cylindrical, with smooth surfaces. The organism was found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The whole cell hydrolysates were found to contain glucose and ribose. The cellular fatty acid profile mainly consists of anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0. The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8), MK-10(H6) and MK-9(H6). The polar lipids profile were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, a ninhydrin-positive glycophospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the organism belongs to the genus Streptomyces and in the 16S rRNA gene tree it formed a distinct phyletic line together with the closely related type strain Streptomyces burgazadensis Z1R7T (95.2% sequence similarity). However, the phenotypic characteristics of strain 4-2-13T are significantly different from those of S. burgazadensis Z1R7T. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain 4-2-13T represents a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces thermoalkaliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4-2-13T (=DSM 42159T=CGMCC 4. 7205T).

Streptomyces swartbergensis sp. nov., a novel tyrosinase and antibiotic producing actinobacterium

As part of an antibiotic screening program, an actinobacterium, strain HMC13T, was isolated from soil collected from the banks of the Gamka River, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The isolate was found to produce branched mycelia that differentiated into spiral spore chains with spiny spores. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the strain to be closely related to Streptomyces caelestis NRRL 2418T (99.72%) and Streptomyces azureus NBRC 12744T (99.51%). Chemotaxonomic analyses confirmed the classification of the strain as a member of the genus Streptomyces: LL-DAP in the peptidoglycan, no diagnostic sugars in the whole cell sugar pattern, dominant menaquinones including MK9(H8), MK9(H6), and the polar lipids detected included phosphatidylethanolamine. The fatty acid profile revealed the presence of mostly branched, saturated fatty acids: iso-C15:0 (14.4%), anteiso-C15:0 (21.1%), iso-C16:0 (16.8%), C16:1ω7c/2-OH iso-C15:0 (5.8%), C16:0 (6.2%), iso-C17:1ω9c (5.8%), iso-C17:0 (5.9%), and anteiso-C17:0 (9.6%). Strain HMC13T is a tyrosinase producer and exhibits very strong antibiosis against Mycobacterium aurum A+ and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 33591 (methicillin resistant), while only weak activity was observed against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Enterococcus faecium VanA (vancomycin resistant), Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51299 (vancomycin resistant) and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750T. Strain HMC13T (=LMG 28849T=NRRL B-65294T) is proposed as the type strain of a new species, to be named Streptomyces swartbergensis sp. nov.

Synthesis and structure of an organobismuth (V) dithiocarbamate polymer [PhBiS2CN(CH3)2Cl]n and its use as a high-efficiency photocatalysis for organic dyes degradation

ABSTRACTA new Bi(V) coordination polymer, namely, [PhBiS2CN(CH3)2Cl]n has been synthesized and characterized by element alanalysis, IR, 1H NMR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. X-ray single-crystal diffraction study reveals that the complex features one-dimensional spiral chain structure by a bridging chlorine atom to link metal ions and two adjacent chains bridged by C-H—C interactions appear double helix structure. The complex displays highly photocatalytic degradation activity for methylene blue, rhodamine B and methyl violet.

In(III) and Sc(III) based coordination polymers derived from rigid benzimidazole-5,6-dicarboxylic acid: Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic property

Two new coordination polymers (CPs), [InCl(H2bidc)2(H2O)]n (1) and [Sc(Hbidc)(OH)(H2O)]n (2) (H3bidc = benzimidazole-5,6-dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized through a solvothermal approach. 1 exhibits a 1D infinite chain, which further constructs a 3D supramolecular framework via hydrogen bonds. 2 features a 3D supramolecular framework consisting of left- and right-handed chiral layers, which contain the left- and right-handed chiral spiral chains. The adjacent layers stack through π–π stacking interactions between benzene and imidazole rings. 1 exhibits excellent catalytic reactivity for the Strecker reaction and can be recycled four consecutive reactions with more than 95% conversion yields.

Streptomyces odonnellii sp. nov., a proteolytic streptomycete isolated from soil under cerrado (savanna) vegetation cover.

A novel streptomycete, strain 594T, isolated from Brazilian soil collected under cerrado (savanna) vegetation cover is described. Strain 594T produced thermophilic chitinolytic proteases in assays containing feather meal and corn steep liquor as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen. The strain produced white to grey aerial mycelium and spiral chains of spiny-surfaced spores on the aerial mycelium and did not produce diffusible pigments. The ll-isomer of diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell wall and menaquinones were predominantly MK-9(H6) (52 %) and MK-9(H8) (30 %) with 6 % MK-9(H4) and slightly less than 1 % MK-9(H2). Polar lipids present were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phospholipid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C14 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that it differed from described Streptomyces species. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using five housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) comparing Streptomyces type strains showed that the MLSA distance of strain 594T to the most closely related species was greater than the 0.007 threshold. The in silico DNA-DNA relatedness between the genome sequence of strain 594T and that of the phylogenetically nearest species was well below the species level recommendation. There was thus multiple evidence justifying the description of this strain as representing a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces odonnellii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 594T (=IMPPG 594T=DSM 41949T=NRRL B-24891T).

Streptomyces sediminis sp. nov. isolated from crater lake sediment.

A novel actinobacterial strain, MKSP12T, was isolated from coastal sediment of a crater lake in central Anatolia, Turkey. The taxonomic position of the strain was clarified using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MKSP12T is closely related to Streptomyces specialis GW 41-1564T with 97.1% sequence similarity. The strain produces aerial hyphae that differentiate into spiral chains of smooth surfaced spores and grows over a temperature range of 20-37°C, at pH 7-11 and in the presence of 3% (w/v) sodium chloride. The cell wall amino acid is LL-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars are glucose and ribose. The polar lipids profile consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified glycophospholipid and eight unidentified glycolipids; iso-C16:0, iso-C16:1 G, anteiso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:1 ω9c were identified as the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10%). Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses, the strain is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces sediminis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain MKSP12T (=DSM 100692T=KCTC 39613T).

Kribbella sindirgiensis sp. nov. isolated from soil

A Kribbella strain FSN23T was isolated from soil sample which was collected from Caygoren Dam lakeside located in Sındırgı, Turkey. The isolate was investigated using a polyphasic approach consisting of numeric, chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis. The isolate indicated chemotaxonomic, morphological and phylogenetic properties associated with members of the genus Kribbella. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence of the strain demonstrated that the strain forms a subclade with K. aluminosa HKI 0478T and K. jejuensis HD9T. The organism formed an extensively branched substrate and aerial hyphae which generated spiral chains of spores with smooth surfaces. The cell wall contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, and the whole cell sugars were glucose and ribose along with trace amounts of mannose. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified lipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. Polyphasic taxonomy properties confirm that strain FSN23T represents a novel Kribbella taxon distinguished from closely related type strains. Hence, strain FSN23T (=KCTC 29220T=DSM 27082T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species with the name Kribbella sindirgiensis sp. nov.

Nonomuraea rhodomycinica sp. nov., isolated from peat swamp forest soil.

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete, strain NR4-ASC07T, isolated from a soil sample collected from Sirindhorn peat swamp forest, Narathiwat Province, Thailand, was clarified using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it was classified among the members of the genus Nonomuraea. It produced tightly closed spiral spore chains on aerial mycelium as well as forming a pseudosporangium. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose, madurose and mannose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, unknown ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids and unknown glycolipid. Menaquiones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H0), MK-9(H2), MK-10(H4) and MK-9(H6). Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 0 10-methyl, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c, C16 : 0 2-OH and iso-C15 : 0. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the clade containing Nonomuraea muscovyensis FMN03T, Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. roseoviolaceaNBRC 14098T and Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. carminataNBRC 15903T. The DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic data supported that strain NR4-ASC07T was clearly distinguished from the closely related species and represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea for which the name Nonomuraea rhodomycinica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NR4-ASC07T (=NBRC 112327T=TISTR 2465T).

Actinomadura alkaliterrae sp. nov., isolated from an alkaline soil.

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic status of an Actinomadura strain isolated from the margin of a saline, alkaline lake in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Strain D310ATT was shown to have chemotaxonomic, cultural and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Actinomadura such as hooked or irregular spiral spore chains, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major cell wall diaminopimelic acid, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as major polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D310ATT is closely, albeit loosely, associated with Actinomadura darangshiensis DLS-70T with 97.2% sequence similarity, but was readily separated from the latter using diverse phenotypic properties. Consequently, the isolate is considered to represent a new species of Actinomadura for which the name Actinomadura alkaliterrae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain D310ATT (=DSM 101185T=KCTC 39657T).

Streptomyces cameroonensis sp. nov., a Geldanamycin Producer That Promotes Theobroma cacao Growth.

The taxonomy of an actinobacterial strain, designated JJY4T, was established using a polyphasic approach. JJY4T was isolated from the rhizosphere of Chromolaena odorata in Yaoundé (Cameroon) during a project for the selection of biological control agents. Strain JJY4T exhibited antimicrobial activities against bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. Strain JJY4T also exhibited the traits of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria such as the solubilization of inorganic phosphate, production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. In planta assays performed on cocoa plantlets confirmed that strain JJY4T exhibited strong abilities to promote plant growth and protect against Phytophthora megakarya, the main causal agent of cocoa pod rot. The formation of rugose-ornamented spores in spiral spore chains by strain JJY4T is a typical feature of members found in the Streptomyces violaceusniger clade and, similar to some members of the clade, strain JJY4T produces geldanamycin. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed this classification and suggests that strain JJY4T be added to the subclade constituted of the type strains Streptomyces malaysiensis DSM 41697T and Streptomyces samsunensis DSM 42010T. However, DNA–DNA relatedness and physiological characteristics allowed for the differentiation of strain JJY4T from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Based on these results, strain JJY4T (=NRRL B-65369, =NBRC 112705) appears to represent a novel species in the S. violaceusniger clade for which the proposed name is Streptomyces cameroonensis sp. nov.

Hydrogen-Stuffed, Quartz-like Water Ice.

Through use of in situ Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal/powder X-ray diffraction, we resolve the "C0" phase structure discovered recently in the H2 + H2O system. This phase forms at ∼400 MPa and 280 K with the nominal composition (H2O)2H2 and three formula units per unit cell. The hexagonal structure is chiral, consisting of interpenetrating spiral chains of hydrogen-bonded water molecules and rotationally disordered H2 molecules, and shows topological similarities with the mineral quartz. Like other clathrate hydrates and forms of ice, the protons of H2O molecules within C0 are disordered. The large zeolite-like channels accommodate significant amounts of hydrogen (5.3% by weight) in a unique hydrogen-bonded lattice, which might be applicable to the thermodynamic conditions found on icy planetary bodies.

Investigation on antimicrobial agents of the terrestrial Streptomyces sp. BCC71188.

The terrestrial actinomycete strain BCC71188 was identified as Streptomyces by its morphology (having spiral chain spore on the aerial mycelium), chemotaxonomy (containing LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall), and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis [showing high similarity values compared with Streptomyces samsunensis M1463T (99.85%) and Streptomyces malaysiensis NBRC 16446T (99.40%)]. The crude extract exhibited antimalarial against Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 0.19μg/ml), anti-TB against Mycobacterial tuberculosis (MIC 6.25μg/ml), and antibacterial against Bacillus cereus (MIC 1.56μg/ml) activities. Therefore, chemical investigation was conducted by employing bioassay-guided method and led to the isolation of 19 compounds including two cyclic peptides (1-2), five macrolides (3-7), new naphthoquinone (8), nahuoic acid C (9), geldanamycin derivatives (10-13), cyclooctatin (14), germicidins A (15) and C (16), actinoramide A (17), abierixin, and 29-O-methylabierixin. These isolated compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity, such as antimalarial, anti-TB, and antibacterial activities, and for cytotoxicity against both cancerous (MCF-7, KB, NCI-H187) and non-cancerous (Vero) cells. Compounds 1-7, 10-14 exhibited antimalarial (IC50 0.22-7.14μg/ml), and elaiophylin analogs (4-6) displayed anti-TB (MIC 0.78-12.00μg/ml) and B. cereus (MIC 0.78-3.13μg/ml) activities. Compounds 1, 2, 14, and abierixin displayed weak cytotoxicity, indicating a potential for antimicrobial agents.

Streptomyces phyllanthi sp. nov., isolated from the stem of Phyllanthus amarus.

The novel endophytic actinomycete strain PA1-07T was isolated from the stem of Phyllanthus amarus. The strain displayed the consistent characteristics of members of the genus Streptomyces. The strain produced short spiral spore chains on aerial mycelia. It grew at pH 5-9, at 40 °C and with a maximum of 5 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, glucose and ribose in the whole-cell hydrolysate. The major cellular menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8), while the major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and four unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 71 mol%. The strain showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Streptomyces curacoi JCM 4219T (98.77 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain PA1-07T and S. curacoi JCM 4219T were lower than 70 %, the cut-off level for assigning strains to the same species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the strain could be distinguished from closely related species of the genus Streptomyces and thus represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces phyllanthi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PA1-07T (=JCM 30865T=KCTC 39785T=TISTR 2346T).

Synthesis, Characterization, and Theoretical Studies of (Pb4O)Pb2B6O14: A New Lead(II) Borate with Isolated Oxygen-Centered Pb4O Tetrahedra and Large Second Harmonic Generation Response

A new lead(II) borate, (Pb4O)Pb2B6O14, has been synthesized by low-temperature hydrothermal method. It crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric polar space group P1 and structurally features a three-dimensional framework composed of paralleled spiral B6O14 chains connected by the Pb cations and isolated oxygen-centered Pb4O tetrahedra. It exhibits a phase-matching powder second harmonic generation (SHG) effect of about 3.5 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP) at the 1064 nm fundamental wavelength. It also has optical band gap of 3.3 eV and high thermal stability up to 480 °C, which make it a promising candidate for nonlinear optical (NLO) material. In addition, electronic structure and NLO property are studied by the first-principles method, and the calculated NLO coefficients are consistent with the experimental observations. The important contributions of Pb4O tetrahedra and the borate groups to the SHG response have been identified by the SHG-density method.

Taxonomic evaluation of species in the Streptomyces hirsutus clade using multi-locus sequence analysis and proposals to reclassify several species in this clade.

Previous phylogenetic analysis of species of the genus Streptomyces based on 16S rRNA gene sequences resulted in a statistically well-supported clade (100 % bootstrap value) containing eight species that exhibited very similar gross morphology in producing open looped (Retinaculum-Apertum) to spiral (Spira) chains of spiny- to hairysurfaced, dark green spores on their aerial mycelium. The type strains of the species in this clade, specifically Streptomyces bambergiensis, Streptomyces cyanoalbus, Streptomyces emeiensis, Streptomyces hirsutus, Streptomyces prasinopilosus and Streptomyces prasinus, were subjected to multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) utilizing partial sequences of the housekeeping genes atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB to clarify their taxonomic status. The type strains of several recently described species with similar gross morphology, including Streptomyces chlorus, Streptomyces herbaceus, Streptomyces incanus, Streptomyces pratens and Streptomyces viridis, were also studied along with six unidentified green-spored Streptomyces strains from the ARS Culture Collection. The MLSAs suggest that three of the species under study (S. bambergiensis, S. cyanoalbus and S. emeiensis) represent synonyms of other previously described species (S. prasinus, S. hirsutus and S. prasinopilosus, respectively). These relationships were confirmed through determination of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization estimates based on draft genome sequences. The five recently described species appear to be phylogenetically distinct but the unidentified strains from the ARS Culture Collection could be identified as representatives of S. hirsutus, S. prasinopilosus or S. prasinus.

High-temperature Raman spectroscopy of the Cs2O–B2O3–MoO3 system for CsB3O5 crystal growth

Raman spectroscopy at high temperature has been applied to study in situ the microstructure of the solution in a Cs2O–B2O3–MoO3 growth system. A crystal–solution interface was observed. The BO groups consist of spiral chains based on B3O4Ø2 rings in the solution (Ø is a bridging O atom). The Raman spectrum of the solution indicates that MoO4 tetrahedra existed in the growth system. The nonbridging O atoms of the chains combined with the MoO4 groups, which decreased the viscosity. The Raman spectra near the interface show that at the boundary an isomerization reaction from three- to four-coordinated boron occurred. The formation of B3Ø7 triborate groups occurred. The morphology of the CsB3O5 crystal resulting from spontaneous crystallization was observed to correspond to our expectations.

Coupled antiferromagnetic spin-12chains in green dioptaseCu6[Si6O18]·6H2O

In this paper, we report inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the magnetic excitations of green dioptase ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{6}[{\mathrm{Si}}_{6}{\mathrm{O}}_{18}]\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}6{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$. The observed spectrum contains two magnetic modes and a prominent spin gap that is consistent with the ordered ground state of Cu moments coupled antiferromagnetically in spiral chains along the $c$ axis and ferromagnetically in $ab$ planes on the hexagonal cell. The data are in excellent agreement with a spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Hamiltonian that includes antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor intrachain coupling ${J}_{c}=10.6(1)$ meV, ferromagnetic interchain coupling ${J}_{ab}=\ensuremath{-}1.2(1)$ meV, and exchange anisotropy $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{J}_{c}=0.14(1)$ meV. We calculated the sublattice magnetization to be strongly reduced, $\ensuremath{\sim}0.39{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}$. This appears compatible with a reduced N\'eel temperature, ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}=14.5\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\text{K}\ensuremath{\ll}{J}_{c}$, and can be explained by a presence of quantum spin fluctuations.