Quantum Hamiltonians with Weak Random Abstract Perturbation. I. Initial Length Scale Estimate

We study random Hamiltonians on finite-size cubes and waveguide segments of increasing diameter. The number of random parameters determining the operator is proportional to the volume of the cube. In the asymptotic regime where the cube size, and consequently the number of parameters as well, tends to infinity, we derive deterministic and probabilistic variational bounds on the lowest eigenvalue, i.e., the spectral minimum, as well as exponential off-diagonal decay of the Green function at energies above, but close to the overall spectral bottom.     

Physicochemical investigation of some archaeometallurgical findings from locality Kmpije (Bor,Serbia)

Preliminary results of physicochemical investigation of some archaeometallurgical findings from Kmpije locality in vicinity of Bor (Serbia) are presented in this paper. Ancient samples of prehistoric origin were investigated using different instrumental analytic methods—chemical, differential thermal, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Obtained results indicate to the presence of ancient metallurgical activities, so locality Kmpije may be considered as an archaeometallurgical site, which should be investigated more in future for more precise details.     

Thermal electrocyclization reactions II: benzooctatetraenes and benzodecapentaenes

Thermal electrocyclization reactions of benzooctatetraenes and benzodecapentaenes substituted with R=H, Cl, and methyl were studied experimentally and computationally. Methyl and unsubstituted benzooctatetraenes and benzodecapentaenes give the [4.2.0]bicyclooctadiene products by 8π,6π-electrocyclization. Chlorine substitution led to thermal rearrangement of the initially formed 8π,6π-electrocyclization intermediates to give unprecedented products.     

Hybrid sol–gel thin films doped with a pH indicator: effect of organic modification on optical pH response and film surface hydrophilicity

Optical sensors for application in innovative wearable sensing systems such as textile-integrated systems and wireless sensor platforms rely on the development of low-cost multifunctional materials compatible with standard fabrication technologies. We are developing optically responsive pH sensitive sol–gel coatings for integration with a mobile wireless smart tag sensing system. For this application, we have fabricated a range of thin pH sensitive films using bromocresol green (BCG) indicator immobilised in inorganic–organic silica hybrid matrices prepared by a sol–gel method and deposited by spin-coating onto glass substrates. The surface hydrophilicity of the films were varied by using the inorganic sol–gel precursor tetraethoxysilane together with either methyltriethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane or glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as organically modified sol–gel precursors, co-polymerised in different ratios. Spectral characterisation of the films was performed using visible absorption spectroscopy. The shift in absorption maxima and other spectral changes of the different matrices have been identified, and the apparent pK _app values of the immobilised BCG pH indicator determined. The surface wettability properties of the films have been studied by measuring the contact angle of water, formamide and diiodomethane which has allowed the estimation of the surface free energy (SFE) using three different models: Owens–Wendt, Wu and van Oss-Chaudhury-Good. It is shown that the SFE of the hybrid films is directly related to the type and the degree of organic modification, which in turn has a significant effect on the pH response-time of these sensing films.