Distribution of copper- and nickel-containing modifier components in the pore space of HZSM-5 zeolite

The distribution of copper- and nickel-containing components in the pore space of HZSM-5 zeolite was quantitatively studied. It was found that the detailed distribution of a modifier in the micropore and mesopore volumes of the zeolite depends on both the chemical nature of the modifier and the conditions of supporting and the regime of M²⁺ polycondensation in the pore space of the zeolite. The experimental data on the low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen on Cu(n)ZSM-5 catalysts can be interpreted as the result of the partial filling of the zeolite micropore space (10 vol %) and the finest mesopores with D < 3 nm with the modifier. In the case of Ni(n)ZSM-5 catalysts, the penetration of the modifier into zeolite channels (micropores) in detectable amounts was not found, and it was arranged in mesopores on the surface of zeolite crystallites. The reason for differences between modifier distributions in the pore structure of the zeolite was explained from the standpoint of different structures of copper and nickel polyhydroxo complexes in impregnating solutions after polycondensation. It was found that, in the Cu(n)ZSM-5 and Ni(n)ZSM-5 catalysts, the modifier component contained copper and nickel only in a doubly charged state and mainly octahedral oxygen environments. In this case, three-dimensional nanoparticles or coarsely dispersed particles of CuO were not detected in the pore space of the support, whereas the presence of a small amount of sufficiently large NiO crystals with a coherent-scattering region of 80–100 nm was detected in Ni(n)ZSM-5, and these crystals occurred on the surface of zeolite crystals. It was found that the apparent density of a copper-or nickel-containing component arranged in the pore space of the zeolite was lower than the density of the bulk CuO and NiO phases by a factor of ～3 and 4, respectively, because of the size effect.     

Tracking protein electrodenaturation fronts in the electrochemical treatment of tumors

Electrochemical reactions in the electrochemical treatment of tumors (EChT) induce extreme pH changes and, consequently, protein electrodenaturation fronts intimately related to tumor destruction. Here we introduce a new in vitro EChT collagen–macronutrient gel (CMG) model to study protein electrodenaturation fronts as a mean of assessing EChT effectiveness. Our CMG model shows that from an initial uniform condition two electrodenaturation fronts evolve expanding towards each other until collision. Moreover, electrodenaturation front tracking reveals that the front grows under a diffusion-controlled regime. Based on this evidence it is possible, in principle, to predict the time needed for tumor destruction without compromising healthy tissue. These results are consistent with those previously obtained with in vivo and in vitro EChT modeling. In contrast to previous simpler in vitro models, our CMG model represents a better structural and chemical approximation to a real tissue thus providing a better tool for validation of new in silico EChT models aimed at a more accurate prediction of tissue destruction level.     

Coexistence of Two Thermally Induced Intramolecular Electron Transfer Processes in a Series of Metal Complexes [M(Cat‐N‐BQ)(Cat‐N‐SQ)]/[M(Cat‐N‐BQ)2] (M=Co,Fe, and Ni) bearing Non‐Innocent Catechol‐Based Ligands: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

The different thermally induced intermolecular electron transfer (IET) processes that can take place in the series of complexes [M(Cat‐N‐BQ)(Cat‐N‐SQ)]/[M(Cat‐N‐BQ)₂], for which M=Co ( 2 ), Fe ( 3 ) and Ni( 4 ), and Cat‐N‐BQ and Cat‐N‐SQ denote the mononegative (Cat‐N‐BQ^?) or dinegative (Cat‐N‐SQ^2?) radical forms of the tridentate Schiff‐base ligand 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐quinone‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imine, have been studied by variable‐temperature UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies. Depending on the metal ion, rather different behaviors are observed. Complex 2 has been found to be one of the few examples so far reported to exhibit the coexistence of two thermally induced electron transfer processes, ligand‐to‐metal (IET^LM) and ligand‐to‐ligand (IET^LL). IET^LL was only found to take place in complex 3 , and no IET was observed for complex 4 . Such experimental studies have been combined with ab initio wavefunction‐based CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations. Such a strategy allows one to solicit selectively the speculated orbitals and to access the ground states and excited‐spin states, as well as charge‐transfer states giving additional information on the different IET processes.     

Slope detection method by modulated speckle patterns

An optical technique for slope detection by using as storing medium a photorefractive BSO crystal is proposed. The technique relays in that a local tilt produced in a diffusing reflective surface can be mapped as a speckle transversal shifting in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The volume nature of the storing medium is quite adequate to highlight the speckle volume nature and its associated properties. Experimental results obtained by using a rubber vibrating membrane are presented.     

Raman spectra of the orthorhombic semiconductor compound Cu2SnTe3

The optical phonon spectrum of the semiconductor Cu₂SnTe₃, that crystallizes in the orthorhombic structure with space group Imm2 (), have been studied by measuring unpolarized Raman scattering between 10 and 300 K. The experimental frequencies of the phonon modes observed were compared to those calculated by using simplified lattice dynamical models reported in the literature. From combined analysis of these results together with the factor group analysis of the zone-center vibrational modes, valuable information about these modes was obtained and their possible symmetry was assigned. A₁ modes at 71, 123, 167, 176 and 190 cm⁻¹; A₂ modes 115 and 131 cm⁻¹; B₁ modes at 76, 142 and 152 cm⁻¹; B₂ modes at 89, 100 and 206 cm⁻¹; a overtone at 246 cm⁻¹, and combinations at 218, 270 and 292 cm⁻¹; have been observed in this compound.     

Solving a bi-objective Transportation Location Routing Problem by metaheuristic algorithms

In this work we consider a Transportation Location Routing Problem (TLRP) that can be seen as an extension of the two stage Location Routing Problem, in which the first stage corresponds to a transportation problem with truck capacity. Two objectives are considered in this research, reduction of distribution cost and balance of workloads for drivers in the routing stage. Here, we present a mathematical formulation for the bi-objective TLRP and propose a new representation for the TLRP based on priorities. This representation lets us manage the problem easily and reduces the computational effort, plus, it is suitable to be used with both local search based and evolutionary approaches. In order to demonstrate its efficiency, it was implemented in two metaheuristic solution algorithms based on the Scatter Tabu Search Procedure for Non-Linear Multiobjective Optimization (SSPMO) and on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) strategies. Computational experiments showed efficient results in solution quality and computing time.     

Synthesis of 3-Aryl-5-C-Glycosylisoxazoles from Several Aldehydo-Sugar Derivatives

ABSTRACT

The synthesis of several 3-aryl-5-glycosylisoxazole derivatives has been achieved. By condensation of the protected aldehydo-sugars 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde (1), 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-aldehydo-D-arabinose (2) and D-xylose (3), and 2,5-anhydro-3,4,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-mannose (4) with benzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane, enulose derivatives were formed, which were later converted into a,ß-unsaturated ketoximes. These ketoximes were oxidatively cyclized with iodine and, after removal of the hydroxyl protecting groups, 3-phenyl-5-glycosylisoxazoles were formed.     

Reaction of 2,3-O-Isopropylidene-D-Glyceraldehyde and Some Dialkyl and Diarylthiomethyl Sulfoxides: Stereochemical Aspects

Abstract

The reaction of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde with different dialkyl and diarylthiomethyl sulfoxides occurs with a high selectivity and produces the corresponding 1-alkyl(or l-aryl)-sulfynil-l-alkyl(or 1-aryl) thio-3,4-O-isopropylidene-D-tetroses as pure diastereoisomers. We have determined the absolute configuration of the three chiral centers formed in these reactions.     

Antimony as a traffic-related element in size-fractionated road dust samples collected in Buenos Aires

The growing interest of public opinion in environmental problems conducted us to investigate the levels of a toxic traffic-related element such antimony in 19 size-fractionated street dust samples. Samples were collected in the megacity of Buenos Aires during two months at 19 sites with different urban characteristics and traffic profile. Samples were sieved in four fractions (F1 < 37 µm, F2: 37-55 µm, F3: 55-75 µm and F4: 55-100 µm) before elemental analysis. A mixture of aqua regia and hydrofluoric acid was used to digest all samples. Antimony concentrations were quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) or flow injection hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HG-AAS).Twenty four out of 73 sub-samples analyzed showed Sb levels < 0.05 µg g^− 1; in the rest of the samples mean Sb concentrations varied from 1.4 to 20.4 µg g^− 1. Maximum and minimum concentrations (in µg g^− 1) found in individual samples in the four fractions were: Fraction 1, < 0.05-20.4; Fraction 2, < 0.05-18.4; Fraction 3, < 0.05-6.3; Fraction 4, < 0.05-7.7.Antimony was found to be enriched in the smallest size fraction of road dust, with mean enrichment factors varying between 27 (F3) and 272 (F1). Concentrations of Sb were correlated with those of other traffic-related elements such as Cu and Pb and higher levels were found in areas with medium and high traffic densities.