Dynamic mechanical analysis on modified bismaleimide resins

Polyaminobismaleimides (PAMBI) with diphenyl methane, diphenyl ether and hexamethylene segments were synthesized according to Michael type addition reaction. The modification of PAMBIs with 2-glycidyl-phenyl-ether (GPE) was performed in order to ameliorate the toughness of the products. Dynamic mechanical analysis allowed the study of the processes that concur in the material through curing by tracking the storage modulus (E′) and loss factor (tanδ) changes. The small drop of E′ with increasing temperature in the glass transition region argues for crosslinked structures. The viscoelastic behavior revealed complex processes, i.e., overlapping of glass transition temperature range with intra-and inter-crosslinking.     

Estimates for Wallis’ ratio and related functions

We present improvements of approximation formula for Wallis ratio related to a class of inequalities stated in [D.-J. Zhao, On a two-sided inequality involving Wallis’s formula, Math. Practice Theory, 34 (2004), 166-168], [Y. Zhao and Q. Wu, Wallis inequality with a parameter, J. Inequal. Pure Appl. Math., 7(2) (2006), Art. 56] and [C. Mortici, Completely monotone functions and the Wallis ratio, Applied Mathematics Letters, 25 (2012), 717-722]. Some sharp inequalities are obtained as a result of monotonicity of some functions involving gamma function.     

Off‐center shallow donors in a spherical Si quantum dot with dielectric border

Within the effective mass approximation and using a finite element method, the ground state energy and electron cloud localization of the shallow donors in a Si quantum dot (QD) with dielectric border are calculated. Simultaneous effects of dielectric mismatch (DM) at the core–shell interface, the impurity radial position, and the external electric field on the electronic properties are investigated. We found that (i) for a freestanding QD, the binding energy is strongly enhanced due to the additional interactions of the electron with the polarization charges; (ii) the electron cloud distribution can be easily modulated by varying the impurity position; (iii) the electric field‐induced shift in energy levels increases with the DM. Therefore, the electronic energy levels of the nanocrystal could be tuned by properly tailoring the heterostructure parameters (DM with the surrounding matrix, impurity location) as well as by varying the electric field strength. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Fuzzy supervised neurocontrol of electrohydraulic servos

The work presents theoretical and experimental investigations concerning the neuro-fuzzy control of electrohydraulic servos. The control algorithm is built around a neurocontroller designed to optimize a performance index. Whenever the neurocontrol saturates or a system performance parameter decreases, the control scheme switches to a feasible and reliable fuzzy logic control. In accordance with simulation studies developed in previous works of the authors, the neuro-fuzzy controlled system proves often to be better than the corresponding classical PI or LQG systems. We emphasize that the entire control synthesis is thought as a model free approach, thus ensuring reduced design complexity and focusing on increased system robustness. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nanocomposites Based on Poly(Amide-Imide) Matrix with Na–Mg Triple Chain Hydrosilicate

Crystallography Reports - A new polymer-inorganic nanocomposite composed of fibrous Na–Mg triple chain hydrosilicate with a poly(amide-imide) matrix was developed. Its structure, morphology,...     

Chemometric Optimization of Biologically Active Compounds Extraction from Grape Marc: Composition and Antimicrobial Activity

The article focuses on the optimization of the extraction process of biologically active compounds (BAC) from grape marc—a by-product of the wine industry. The influence of temperature, specifically 30 °C, 45 °C and 65 °C, and ethanol concentration in solutions, specifically 0–96% (v/v) on the extraction yield of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins, were investigated. The composition of individual polyphenols, anthocyanins and organic acids, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) and CIELab chromatic characteristics of the grape marc extracts (GME), were characterized. The microbiostatic and microbicidal effects in direct contact of GME with pathogenic microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, were determined in vitro. The influence of extraction parameters on the total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content (TC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and their interdependencies were studied using information analysis. A mathematical model was developed on cubic spline functions. The analysis of individual compounds showed the presence of a wide range of flavonoids (procyanidin B2, procyanidin B1, hyperoside and quercetin), flavones (catechin), hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic acids, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid), hydroxycinic acid derivatives and ferulic acid methyl ester. The malvidol-3-glucoside was the main anthocyanin identified in the extract. A high amount of tartaric acid was also found. GME showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and lower activity against Gram-negative bacteria.     

Electrochemical detection and removal of pharmaceuticals in waste waters

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Hybrid Inorganic-Organic Sol–Gel Coatings in the SiO2-TiO2 System

In the present work, the influence of substituted Si-alkoxides on the structural and optical properties of films obtained in the SiO₂-TiO₂ system was studied. Methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) and 3-(tri-methoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSPM) were used as SiO₂ sources and Ti(OBu)₄ was used as TiO₂ source. Acetylacetone was added to the Ti(OBu)₄ as chelating agent and the synthesis was carried out in acid medium. The films were deposited on oxidized Si-wafers by spin-coating. The films were characterized by XRD, spectro-ellipsometry (SE), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results obtained have shown that in the case of hybrid films the desired thickness could be obtained in a single deposition step. The thickness of the films and the optical properties are controlled by the bulkiness of the organic substitute bounded to Si. Among other optical applications, the potential use of such films as optical waveguides is proposed.