Thermodegradation of poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-crotonic acid-co-divinylbenzene) and N-oxide derivatives

Copolymer networks based on 4-vinylpyridine (4VPy)/crotonic acid (CrA)/divinylbenzene (DVB) and their N-oxide derivatives have been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) to evaluate their thermal stability in nitrogen atmosphere at fixed heating rate. Thermal stability was determined from TG curves to investigate the influence of 4VPy content and introduction of N-oxide groups. The TG and DTG curves of unmodified copolymers clearly show two thermodegradation stage and the same kinetic pathway. The decomposition temperatures do not depend on the 4VPy content. The copolymers modified by oxidation present lower thermostability than unmodified showing that the introduction of N-oxide groups modifies their kinetic pathways. A kinetic model Ozawa was used to determine the kinetic parameters. The apparent thermal decomposition activation energies (ΔE_d) of the unmodified copolymer under nitrogen was higher than that in modified copolymer. Also, the characterizations of copolymer networks were done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).     

A shell of constant strength

Zusammenfassung Die Membranschalen gleicher Festigkeit können durch die Bedingung definiert werden, dass beide Hauptspannungen in jedem Punkt gleich der Fließspannung sind. In dieser Arbeit wird, unter benutzung dieser Bedingung, die Dicke und die Meridianform einer Membranschale gleicher Festigkeit, die eine in der Horizontalebene gleichmässig verteilte Lastq ₀ hat, bestimmt.     

Minimizing the lifetime shortfall or shortfall at death

We find the optimal investment strategy for an individual who seeks to minimize one of four objectives: (1) the probability that his/her wealth reaches a specified ruin level before death, (2) the probability that his/her wealth reaches that level at death, (3) the expectation of how low his/her wealth drops below a specified level before death, and (4) the expectation of how low his/her wealth drops below a specified level at death. Young [Young, V.R., 2004. Optimal investment strategy to minimize the probability of lifetime ruin. N. Am. Actua. J. 8 (4), 105-126] showed that under criterion (1), the optimal investment strategy is a heavily leveraged position in the risky asset for low wealth.In this paper, we introduce the other three criteria in order to reduce the leveraging observed by Young, the above mentioned reference. We discovered that surprisingly the optimal investment strategy for criterion (3) is identical to the one for (1) and that the strategies for (2) and (4) are more leveraged than the one for (1) at low wealth. Because these criteria do not reduce leveraging, we completely remove it by considering problems (1) and (3) under the restriction that the individual cannot borrow to invest in the risky asset.     

A non-linear rod theory for high-frequency vibrations of thermopiezoelectric materials

In relation to electroelastic media with thermopiezoelectric coupling, the system of one-dimensional equations is consistently derived so as to accommodate the high-frequency vibrations of a rod with temperature-dependent material. In the first part of the paper, a unified variational principle of differential type is presented which describes the fundamental equations of thermopiezoelectricity with second sound, including the physical and geometrical non-linearities. In the second part, the hierarchic system of rod equations is systematically deduced from the three-dimensional fundamental equations by use of Mindlin's method of reduction. The hierarchic system of equations which is derived in both differential and variational forms is capable of predicting the extensional, thickness-shear, flexural and torsional as well as coupled vibrations of the rod of uniform cross-section. All the higher-order effects are taken into account as deemed pertinent in any particular case. In the third part, attention is confined to certain cases involving special motions, materials and geometry. Besides, the uniqueness is investigated in solutions of the linearized system of rod equations and the sufficient conditions are enumerated for the uniqueness of solutions.     

Selective extraction of toxic heavy metals and biological activity studies using pyrimidylthioamide functionalised calix[4]arene

The current study comprises synthesis of pyrimidylthioamide derivatized calix[4]arene (5), and its comparative liquid–liquid extraction properties with the compound 4 towards the selected transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺) were investigated. Experimental results revealed that the compound 5 shows better efficiency and affinity for Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions as compared to compound 4. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of compound 5 were also investigated on various bacteria and fungi. It has been observed that compound 5 has some effects against Salmonella typhimurium NRRLB 4420, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Staphylococcus aureus NRRL B767 and Bacillus subtilis NRS 744.     

New Heterocyclic Phosphorus Ylides: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Theoretical Calculation of Alkyl Substituted 3-(4-Benzoyl-1,5-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) Propanoates

Novel alkyl substituted 3-(4-benzoyl-1,5-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-3-oxo-2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene) propanoates (3) were synthesized from 4-benzoyl-1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonylchloride (1) and alkyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene) acetates (2a–b). The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies (3a–b), and single crystal X-ray diffraction (3a). The mechanism of the reaction between (1) and (2a) was studied by AM1, and the geometrical parameters of the studied molecules were also carried out in B3LYP methods with the standard 6–31G (d,p) basis set. NBO analysis were studied for 1 and 2a B3LYP methods with the standard 6–31G (d,p) basis set.     

The random distribution of the coordination numbers in the mixed spin-1/2 and spin-2 Blume-Capel model

The effects of random distribution of coordination numbers are investigated for the mixed spin-1/2 and spin-2 Blume-Capel model on the Bethe lattice in terms of exact recursion relations. The usual coordination numbers, i.e. $q=3,4$ and 6, corresponding to the honeycomb, square and simple cubic lattices, respectively, are considered. Two different q values are taken as couples and are varied randomly in terms of a standard-random approach on the shells of the Bethe lattice with some probabilities. It is found that the model gives either first- or second-order phase transitions for appropriate values of probability (p) and single ion anisotropy (d). One or two tricritical points are also observed depending on the given values of p and d, respectively.     

Concept of Small-Angle Diffractometer in Classical Configuration at the Cold Moderator of the IBR-2 Reactor

The possible concepts whereby a time-of-flight small-angle diffractometer optimized for a neutron moderator operating in the cold (at 30 K) and thermal (at 300 K) modes can be implemented at the IBR-2 reactor are studied on the basis of numerical calculations. Under cold conditions, the peak of the neutronbeam energy spectrum is shifted toward low energies (long wavelengths). This extends the sensitivity range of the instrument with respect to the sizes of the objects under study (1–100 nm and higher). A classical scheme enabling the separation of thermal/cold neutrons (E ~10^–3–10^–2 eV) from the background (formed mainly by fast neutrons), which is based on bent neutron-optical devices, is discussed. Due to restrictions imposed by the geometry of the beamline within which the instrument is planned to be located, a configuration with a short multichannel mirror device for beam bending (beam bender) is preferable. Simulation and optimization of the proposed small-angle instrument is carried out taking into account the real beamline geometry and the available space in the experimental reactor hall. A comparison of the setup has been made with the facility based on the curved neutron guide and the facility with direct view of the moderator.     

Random Crystal Field Effects on the Mixed-Spin 1/2 and 5/2 Blume-Capel Model

The Bethe lattice approach is used to examine the effect of a random crystal field (RCF) on the mixed spin-1/2 and 5/2 Blume-Capel model. A bimodal form of RCF is considered which either turns the crystal field on or off for given probabilities p and 1 ? p, respectively, for the sites with spin-5/2. The exact recursion relations are employed to obtain all the characteristics of the model for given coordination numbers q =?3,4,5and 6. The thermal variations of the order-parameters are studied and net magnetizations are classified according to the usual letter coding. The phase diagrams are obtained on the probability-temperature and crystal field-temperature planes. It is found that the model yields only one compensation temperature for appropriate values of system parameters.     

Performance of glass woven fabric composites with admicellar-coated thin elastomeric interphase

Adequate stress transfer between the inorganic reinforcement and surrounding polymeric matrix is essential for achieving enhanced structural integrity and extended lifetime performance of fiber-reinforced composites. The insertion of an elastomeric interlayer helps increase the stress-transfer capabilities across the fiber/matrix interface and considerably reduces crack initiation phenomena at the fiber ends. In this study, admicellar polymerization is used to modify the fiber/matrix interface in glass woven fabric composites by forming thickness-controlled poly(styrene-co-isoprene) coatings. These admicellar interphases have distinct characteristics (e.g. topology and surface coverage) depending on the surfactant/monomer ratios used during the polymerization reaction. Overall, the admicellar coatings have a positive effect on the mechanical response of resin transfer molded, E-glass/epoxy parts. For instance, ultimate tensile strength of composites with admicellar sizings improved 50–55% over the control-desized samples. Interlaminar shear strength also showed increases ranging from 18 to 38% over the same control group. Interestingly, the flexural properties of these composites proved sensitive to the type of interphase formed for various admicellar polymerization conditions. Higher surface coverage and film connectedness in admicellar polymeric sizings are observed to enhance stress transfer at the interfacial region.