Dense monoenergetic proton beams from chirped laser-plasma interaction

Interaction of a frequency-chirped laser pulse with single protons and a hydrogen gas target is studied analytically and by means of particle-in-cell simulations, respectively. The feasibility of generating ultraintense (10(7) particles per bunch) and phase-space collimated beams of protons (energy spread of about 1%) is demonstrated. Phase synchronization of the protons and the laser field, guaranteed by the appropriate chirping of the laser pulse, allows the particles to gain sufficient kinetic energy (around 250 MeV) required for such applications as hadron cancer therapy, from state-of-the-art laser systems of intensities of the order of 10(21) W/cm(2).     

The spherical spectrum of a graded ring

We introduce a functor Sph, the spherical spectrum, which assigns to a graded ringG a space Sph(G) of homogeneous orderings ofG. It combines ideas of concrete geometry in theN-sphere defined by positively homogeneous polynomial equations and inequalities with the abstract notion of the real spectrum of a ring to give a counterpart for real semialgebraic geometry of the functor Proj.     

Mono-energetic GeV electrons from ionization in a radially polarized laser beam

Fields of a radially polarized laser beam developed recently [Y. I. Salamin, Opt. Lett.31, 2619 (2006)] are employed to show that electrons produced by atomic ionization near the focus may be accelerated to GeV energies. Conditions for producing a mono-energetic and well-collimated electron beam are discussed.     

Structure-toxicity relationships of thiono and seleno phosphoramidate compounds: new type of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Novel thiono and seleno phosphoramidate compounds with the general formula (X)(Y)P(C₆H₅)₂; (X = NMe₂ & Y = S, 1a; X = NEt₂ & Y = S, 2a; X = NMe(CH₂Ph) & Y = S, 3a; X = NH(CH₂Ph) & Y = S, 4a; X = NEt(CH₂Ph) & Y = S, 5a; X = N(C(Me)₃) (CH₂Ph) & Y = S, 6a; X = N(CH₂Ph)₂ & Y = S, 7a; X = NMe₂ & Y = Se, 1b; X = NEt₂ & Y = Se, 2b; X = NMe(CH₂Ph) & Y = Se, 3b; X = NH (CH₂Ph) & Y = Se, 4b; X = NEt(CH₂Ph) & Y = Se, 5b; X = N(C(Me)₃)(CH₂Ph) & Y = Se, 6b and X = N(CH₂Ph)₂ & Y = Se, 7b) were prepared and characterized by ¹H, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. ³¹P chemical shift of thiono and seleno derivatives didn’t show significant different because of their little difference in electronegativity sulfur and selenium. Hydrophobic parameter of compounds was determined by measurement of octanol-water partition coefficient by shake-flask technique. Determination of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) activity was carried out according to the Ellman’s modified kinetic method. IC₅₀ values of the selected thiono and seleno compounds varied from 3.4 to 0.11 and 9.9 to 5.1 mM, respectively. The seleno compounds show lower affinities for hAChE relative to the thino compounds. These results demonstrate that hydrophobic and electronic factors of the organophosphorus compounds play a key role on the inhibitory potency.     

A new effective on chip electromembrane extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for enhancement of extraction efficiency

In the present research, an effective on chip electromembrane extraction (CEME) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was presented for analysis of nortriptyline (NOR) and amitriptyline (AMI) as basic model analytes from urine samples. The chip consists of two polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) parts with two craved microfluidic channels in each part. These channels were used as flow path for the sample solution and a thin compartment for the acceptor phase. A porous polypropylene sheet membrane impregnated with an organic solvent was placed between two parts of chip device to separate the channels. Two platinum electrodes were mounted at the bottom of these channels that were connected to a power supply providing the electrical driving force for migration of ionized analytes from sample solution through the porous sheet membrane into the acceptor phase. This new setup provides effective and reproducible extractions with low volume of sample solution. Efficient parameters on CEME of the model analytes were optimized using one variable at a time method. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 10.0–500 μg L⁻¹ with coefficient of determination (r²) more than 0.9902. The relative standard deviations (RSDs %) for extraction and determination of the analytes were less than 6.8% based on six replicate measurements. LODs less than 4.0 μg L⁻¹ were obtained for both of the model analytes. The preconcentration factors higher than 17.0-fold were obtained. The results demonstrated that CEME would be used efficiently for extraction and determination of AMI and NOR from urine samples.     

Ni(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) complexes incorporating 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid：Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical evaluation,and catalytic activity for the synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-triones

Three complexes containing 2-pyrazinecarboxylate (pzca–), including [Ni(pzca)2(H2O)2], [Co(pzca)2(H2O)2], and [Cu(pzca)2(H2O)2], have been synthesized and characterized using physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the structure of each complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three complexes have an octahedral geometry, where the metal ion chelated by two carboxylate oxygens, two nitrogen atoms belonging to pyrazinic acid molecules, and two oxygen atoms of two water molecules. The catalytic activities of these complex-es were also investigated in the green synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-triones by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with an arylaldehyde, phthalic anhydride, and dimedone in acetic acid.     

Molecular Architecture Manipulation in Free Radical Copolymerization: An Advanced Monte Carlo Approach to Screening Copolymer Chains with Various Comonomer Sequence Arrangements

A Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation approach has been adopted in this study to capture evolutionary events in the course of free radical copolymerization, through which batch and starved‐feed semibatch processes are compared. The implementation of the KMC code deve­loped in this work: (i) enables satisfactory control of the molecular weight of the copolymer by tracking the profiles of concentrations of macroradicals, monomers, and polymer as well as degree of polymerization, polydispersity, and chain length distribution; (ii) captures the bivariate distribution of chain length and copolymer composition; (iii) comprehensively tracks and analyzes detailed information on the molecular architecture of the growing chains, thus distinguishing between sequence length and polydispersity of chains produced in batch and starved‐feed semibatch operations; (iv) makes possible the screening of products, based on such details as the number and weight fractions of products having different comonomer units located at various positions along the copolymer chains. The aforementioned characteristics are achieved by stochastic calculations through code developed in‐house. This KMC simulator becomes a very useful tool for the development of tailored copolymers through free radical polymerization, with blocks separated with single units of a different type.

     

Optimization using response surface methodology for fast removal of hazardous azo dye by γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>@CuO nanohybrid synthesized by sol–gel combustion

An efficient adsorption system was developed for removal of hazardous Direct Blue 71 as a sample azo dye. The γ-Fe₂O₃@CuO adsorption system was synthesized based on a sol–gel combustion route and characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. The response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design was used to evaluate the effects of pH, shaking time, and adsorbent dose on dye adsorption. The results showed that solution pH was the parameter with greatest effect on dye adsorption. Adsorption equilibrium was reached quickly, within 8 min. Study of isotherms revealed adsorption capacity of 45.7 mg g^?1 according to the Freundlich model. Sorbent regeneration could be performed using methanol–NaOH (0.1 mol L^?1) solution.     

Polyhydroxyquinoline-carbon nanotube chelating resin for selective adsorption of lead ions: multivariate optimization,isothermic, and thermodynamic study

In this work a facile hydrothermal route has been employed to prepare a multiwall carbon nanotube wrapped in a chelating resin. 8-Hydroxyquinoline and p-formaldehyde were used as monomer and linker for polymer synthesis. The prepared composite was employed as an efficient adsorbent for lead adsorption and preconcentration from various matrices. Effective parameters on lead adsorption have been optimized by central composite design. Results showed that equilibrium adsorption was obtained at pH = 4, with a shacking time of 15 min and adsorbent dosage of 15 mg. Isotherm study showed that the sorbent has adsorbent capacity of 250 mg g^?1; moreover, the process followed a Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic investigation confirmed that lead adsorption is spontaneous, as well as follows endothermic path.     

A thermomechanical analysis of interfaces between the mating parts in ultrasonic wire bonding

Ultrasonic welding (USW) is an alternative solution for the bonding process especially in automotive industry. Ultrasonic welding of metals is a joining technique as a combination of applying pressure and frictional vibrations within the range of ultrasonic frequencies. In automotive industry, ultrasonic welding is often used for wired connections. As an alternative for crimping technology of multi-strand aluminum cables in wire bonding, ultrasonic welding is used. This work presents a thermomechanical analysis of the interface between two mating parts in USW. For this reason, the temperature distribution at bonding locations inside a wire bundle due to frictional vibrations and pressure is investigated using the finite element method (FEM). The obvious difference in microsections from different welding samples, which originates from different local temperature rises, was the motivation for this study to further investigate the thermomechanical aspects of the USW by use of finite element simulations. (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)