Assessment of bone calcium and phosphorus content using micro X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ‐EDXRF): effects of long‐term cadmium poisoning

This study assesses whether the concentrations of biologically important elements in bones are altered by long‐term consumption of cadmium (Cd)‐contaminated water. Heavy metal poisoning has significant impact on humans, and pollutants such as Cd are often found at high concentrations in waterways. Twelve Sprague Dawley rats consumed water with 50 p.p.m. Cd (Cd group), and another 12 consumed normal water (control group). Six subjects from each group were sacrificed after 2 weeks and the others after 4 weeks. Spectra were acquired from the femur by using the EDAX Eagle III micro‐XRF setup, and quantitative calculations were performed by using the fundamental parameter method to determine the concentrations of elements. A bone calcium/phosphorus concentration ratio (Ca/P) of 2.07 ± 0.001 is observed in the spectra from control subjects after 2 weeks and 2.07 ± 0.001 after 4 weeks. In Cd subjects, Ca/P after 2 weeks is 2.04 ± 0.001 and after 4 weeks is 1.97 ± 0.003. Statistically significant differences are obtained when comparing controls with Cd subjects at both time points and when comparing Cd subjects at both time points. Cadmium poisoning significantly affects bone Ca and P concentrations, increasing the likelihood of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assembly of infinite silver(I) columns, chains, and bridged aggregates with supramolecular synthon bearing substituted phenylethynides

Structural correlation in a series of eight silver(I) complexes bearing substituted phenylethynide ligands was systematically investigated through variation of the position or steric bulk of substituents on the aromatic ring. All coordination frameworks are constructed with the supramolecular synthon Ar--C triple bond C superset Ag(n) (Ar=4-MeC6H4, 3-MeC6H4, 2-MeC6H4, 4-tBuC6H4, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3; n=4, 5), and the presence of coexisting ligands was found to influence the supramolecular assembly. The role of pi-pi stacking, C--Hpi and Ag-C(aromatic) interactions in stabilizing the coordination networks is also discussed.     

A mixed method for the creep of a skin layer

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Metalloporphyrin Dendrimers with Folding Arms

Rigid and flexible linkers are combined in the new dendrimer shown schematically in the picture, which contains nine metalloporphyrin units (Porph). The construction is such that the four “arms” of the dendrimer can fold in a cooperative and predetermined manner in response to added 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO).     

A μ-1,1,1,3,3,3 Azide Anion inside a Trigonal Prism of Silver Centers

Layers of face- and edge-sharing trigonal Ag ₆ prisms , of which half are filled with azide units, are contained in the novel compound AgN₃⋅2 AgNO₃ (see structure). Pendant η¹-nitrate groups are attached to both sides of each layer.     

Early energy decays in two churches in Hong Kong

Acoustical measurements based on impulse responses have been made in a Protestant and a Catholic church in Hong Kong. Analysis has concentrated on reverberation time, early decay time and C₈₀, the early-to-late ratio, as well as integrated decays. The measured results have been compared with predictions according to two different theoretical room acoustic models: a model for a single diffuse space and one for a set of coupled-rooms. The comparison has shown that treating the churches as a series of coupled spaces is more valid. However the clarity, C₈₀, at different receiver positions was found to be either under- or over-estimated by the classical coupled-room model. Following this observation, a delayed coupled-room model was developed in the hope of achieving more accurate predictions. In this model, the initial condition under the impulse excitation was modified by introducing a time delay for sound propagated from the source to achieve diffuse sound fields in each subspace. The predicted results of the coupled-room model agree well with the measured results.     

Novel mu5-coordination modes of aryl and alkyl ethynides and classification of metal-ligand interactions in silver(I) complexes

Novel mu(5)-eta(1),eta(1),eta(1),eta(1),eta(2) and mu(5)-eta(1),eta(1),eta(1),eta(2),eta(2) coordination modes of alkyl and aryl ethynide moieties are found in silver(I) complexes 1-5, and the metal-ligand distances can be classified into sigma, pi and mixed (sigma,pi) types. With the consistent square-pyramidal capping Ag(5) baskets of the ethynide moiety as supramolecular synthons, a series of two- and three-dimensional coordination networks are obtained.     

Sound attenuation of a periodic array of micro-perforated tube mufflers

The wave propagation in a periodic array of micro-perforated tube mufflers is investigated theoretically, numerically and experimentally. Because of the high acoustic resistance and low mass reactance due to the sub-millimeter perforation, the micro-perforated muffler can provide considerable sound attenuation of duct noise. Multiple mufflers are often used to enhance attenuation performance. When mufflers are distributed periodically in a duct, the periodic structure produces special dispersion characteristics in the overall sound transmission loss. The Bloch wave theory and the transfer matrix method are used to study the wave propagation in periodic micro-perforated tube mufflers and the dispersion characteristics of periodic micro-perforated mufflers are examined. The results predicted by the theory are compared with finite element method simulation and experimental results. The results indicate that the periodic structure can influence the performance of micro-perforated mufflers. With different periodic distances, the combination of the periodic structure and the micro-perforated tube muffler can contribute to the control of lower frequency noise with a broader frequency range or improvement of the peak transmission loss around the resonant frequency.