Small embeddings for partial 5‐cycle systems

It has been conjectured that any partial 5‐cycle system of order u can be embedded in a 5‐cycle system of order v whenever v ≥ 3 u/ 2+1 and v ≡ 1 , 5 (mod 10) . The smallest known embeddings for any partial 5‐cycle system of order u is 10 u +5 . In this paper we significantly improve this result by proving that for any partial 5‐cycle system of order u ≥ 255 , there exists a 5‐cycle system of order at most (9 u +146) / 4 into which the partial 5‐cycle system of order u can be embedded. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs     

Enhanced process development using automated continuous reactors by self-optimisation algorithms and statistical empirical modelling

Reaction optimisation and understanding is fundamental for process development and is achieved using a variety of techniques. This paper explores the use of self-optimisation and experimental design as a tandem approach to reaction optimisation. A Claisen-Schmidt condensation was optimised using a branch and fit minimising algorithm, with the resulting data being used to fit a response surface model. The model was then applied to find new responses for different metrics, highlighting the most important for process development purposes.     

Correlation analysis of cone calorimetry and microscale combustion calorimetry experiments

Flammability studies are conducted to evaluate the behavior of materials exposed to fire. In this study, microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) and cone calorimetry methods were applied to acquire the flammability characteristics of red and grey extruded polystyrene (XPS) samples. To understand the effect of changes between parameters, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine their linear relationships. From the research, moderate and weak correlations were recorded between the total heat release rates from both methods for red and grey XPS, respectively. Plotting peak heat release rate against heat release temperature for MCC and ignition temperature for cone test showed that 25, 35 and 50 kW m^?2 incident heat fluxes of the cone test fall within 0.2 K s^?1 and 0.5 K s^?1 heating rates of MCC. Also, all the MCC parameters except char yield and total heat release presented good correlations with the cone calorimetry flammability characteristics. Hence, MCC could be used in conjunction with cone calorimetry to accurately and reliably assess the flammability of materials.

     

Hydrogen and deuterium diffusion in non-stoichiometric spinel

High pressure/temperature annealing experiments are used to determine diffusivities of H⁺ and D⁺ in non-stoichiometric spinel, a low-pressure analogue for nominally anhydrous minerals in Earth’s mantle. Data are fitted to the following Arrhenius law: Diffusivity (m²/s)?=?4?±?1?×?10^?12 exp(?54?±?2 kJ?mol^?1/RT). At low temperatures, H⁺ and D⁺ diffusion in non-stoichiometric spinel is charge balanced by flux of O vacancies, with infrared data consistent with protonation of both octahedral and tetrahedral O–O edges in non-stoichiometric spinel, and additional fine structure due to Mg–Al mixing and/or coupling of structurally incorporated H⁺ with cation vacancies. Absence of changes in the fine structure of O–H absorption bands indicates that H⁺ can become locally coupled and uncoupled to other defects during bulk diffusion. As such, proton conductivity in spinel group minerals, arising from faster flux of uncoupled H⁺, can only be calculated from H⁺ mobility data if the extent of defect coupling is constrained.     

Effect of tensile load on the actuation performance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels

pH‐responsive hydrogels are capable of converting chemical energy to mechanical work. To optimize their use as actuators, their response when operating against an external load must be fully characterized. Here, the actuation strain of a model pH‐sensitive hydrogel as a function of different constant loads is studied. The experimental actuation strain, produced by switching the pH from 2 to 12, decreases significantly and monotonically with increasing initial tensile load. Two models are developed to predict the actuation strain as a function of applied stress. Simple mechanical models based on the change in hydrogel modulus and cross sectional area due to the change in pH are unsatisfactory as they predict only a small change in actuation strain with increasing external stress. However, the model based on the elastic and mixing free energy functions derived from the Flory–Huggins theory is found to accurately account for the actuation strain as a function of stress. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 218–225     

A New Polymeric Framework Formed by the Self Assembly of 5,10,15,20-tetra(3-pyridyl)porphyrin,HgI2 And C60

The X-ray structure of H₂T(3-Py)P·HgI₂·C_60, cocrystallized from a chlorobenzene/methanol solvent mixture containing 5,10,15,20- tetra(3-pyridyl)porphyrin, HgI₂ and C₆₀, has been determined. A new two dimensional arrangement of the tetra(3-pyridyl)porphyrin molecules joined by coordination to HgI₂ is formed. These assemblies are connected by close C₆₀-porphyrin π–π interactions leading to the alignment of the porphyrins into linear alternating fullerene porphyrin columns. The structure is compact with no significant cavities.     

Kuhn and the Chemical Revolution: a re-assessment

A recent paper by Hoyningen-Huene argues that the Chemical Revolution is an excellent example of the success of Kuhn’s theory. This paper gives a succinct account of some counter-arguments and briefly refers to some further existing counter-arguments. While Kuhn’s theory does have a small number of more or less successful elements, it has been widely recognised that in general Kuhn’s theory is a “preformed and relatively inflexible framework” (1962, p. 24) which does not fit particular historical examples well; this paper clarifies that those examples include the Chemical Revolution.     

Development and validation of a multiplex real-time PCR method to simultaneously detect 47 targets for the identification of genetically modified organisms

Considering the increase of the total cultivated land area dedicated to genetically modified organisms (GMO), the consumers’ perception toward GMO and the need to comply with various local GMO legislations, efficient and accurate analytical methods are needed for their detection and identification. Considered as the gold standard for GMO analysis, the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTi-PCR) technology was optimised to produce a high-throughput GMO screening method. Based on simultaneous 24 multiplex RTi-PCR running on a ready-to-use 384-well plate, this new procedure allows the detection and identification of 47 targets on seven samples in duplicate. To comply with GMO analytical quality requirements, a negative and a positive control were analysed in parallel. In addition, an internal positive control was also included in each reaction well for the detection of potential PCR inhibition. Tested on non-GM materials, on different GM events and on proficiency test samples, the method offered high specificity and sensitivity with an absolute limit of detection between 1 and 16 copies depending on the target. Easy to use, fast and cost efficient, this multiplex approach fits the purpose of GMO testing laboratories.