Factors affecting the nodule size of asymmetric PMMA membranes

Several factors that may affect the surface nodule size of a polymeric membrane were under investigation. The increase of polymer concentration and molecular weight were found to increase the surface nodule size. The increase of casting temperature also resulted in an increase in nodule size. These results supported that the radius of gyration and the collision frequency between polymer chains were the key factors affecting the nodule size. However, when the radius of gyration was reduced by the use of a poor solvent or by pre-adding nonsolvent in the casting solution, the surface nodule size increased. It suggested that there existed other factors affecting the nodule size on membrane surface besides the gyration radius and the collision frequency of polymer chains. In this study, we found in most cases that the surface nodule size decreased along with the surface tension difference between the casting solution and the coagulant. To demonstrate the effect of surface tension, we examined the nodule size inside the membranes where the nodule formation was not significantly affected by the interfacial tension. Opposite to what was observed on the surface, the nodule size increased with the solvation power of the solvent. This result suggested that it was the interfacial tension that overpowered the gyration radius in affecting the surface nodule size.     

Flavonoid Aglycones and Indole Alkaloids from the Roots of Acacia Confusa

From the methanolic extract of the roots of Acacia confusa Merr. (Leguminosae), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐4′‐methoxy‐3,3′,4,7,8‐pentahydroxyflavan ( 1 ), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐3,3′,4,4′,7,8‐hexahydroxyflavan ( 2 ), (‐)‐2,3‐trans‐3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol ( 3 ), (+)‐catechin ( 4 ), (‐)‐epicatechin ( 5 ), 3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxyflavonol ( 6 ) together with N‐methyltryptamine ( 7 ) and N,N‐dimethyltryptamine ( 8 ) were isolated, and their structures were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new flavonoid. Additionally, the results of chromatographic bioassay on lettuce seeds indicated that compounds 7 and 8 exhibited significant phytotoxicity at a concentration lower than 14 mM.     

Variations in the Concentrations of Cu and Zn and in the Ratio of Cu to Zn in Whole Blood and Hair Samples from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients and from Healthy Controls in Taiwan

An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine concentrations of copper and zinc and the ratio of Cu to Zn in samples of whole blood and hair from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (n=51) and from healthy controls (n=50) in Taiwan. Our results indicate that the HCC patients have higher copper concentrations and higher ratios of Cu to Zn than do the healthy controls both in whole blood and hair samples, but only the concentration of copper and the ratio of Cu to Zn in whole blood were significantly different (p<0.001 and p<0.05). Conversely, a lower concentration of zinc was found in whole blood and hair samples of HCC patients. Similarly, only the concentration of zinc in whole blood showed a significant difference (p<0.001). We concluded that the whole blood concentrations of copper and zinc and the ratio of Cu to Zn seemed to have a higher correlation with HCC. Thus, we suggest that a sample of whole blood may be a more suitable diagnostic sample than is a hair sample for HCC.     

WALL CONDUCTION EFFECT ON THE ONSET OF THERMAL INSTABILITY IN HORIZONTAL RECTANGULAR CHANNELS

The effect of peripheral thermal conduction in the bottom wall on the onset of thermal instability in the thermal entrance region of horizontal, rectangular, bottom-uniform-heated channels was studied by experiment and theoretical simulation. The predicted results of the onset of thermal instability for the cases of uniform peripheral wall heat flux are in agreement with the published experimental data, but the predicted results for the cases of uniform peripheral wall temperature exceed the previous data by about an order of magnitude. The present experimental data reconfirm the present predictions. The effect of increasing the peripheral wall conduction is shown to stabilize the flow.     

CdxHg(1−x)Te Alloy Colloidal Quantum Dots: Tuning Optical Properties from the Visible to Near‐Infrared by Ion Exchange

The energy gap between valence and conduction levels in colloidal semiconductor quantum dots can be tuned via the nanoparticle diameter when this is comparable to or less than the Bohr radius. In materials such as cadmium mercury telluride, which readily forms a single phase ternary alloy, this quantum confinement tuning can also be augmented by compositional tuning, which brings a further degree of freedom in the bandgap engineering. Here it is shown that compositional control of 2.3 nm diameter Cd_xHg_(1?x)Te nanocrystals by exchange of Hg²⁺ in place of Cd²⁺ ions can be used to tune their optical properties across a technologically useful range, from 500 nm to almost 1200 nm. Data on composition‐dependent changes in the optical properties are provided, including bandgap, extinction coefficient, emission energy and spectral shape, Stokes shift, quantum efficiency, and radiative lifetimes as the exchange process occurs, which are highly relevant for those seeking to use these technologically important QD materials.     

金属纳米颗粒的热导率

本文使用统计模拟方法对金属纳米颗粒的电子平均自由程进行了计算,并考察了纳米颗粒的晶格比热和声子平均群速度,最后应用动力学理论对纳米颗粒的电子热导率和声子热导率分别进行了求解.研究结果表明:具有相同特征尺寸的方形、球形纳米颗粒的无量纲电子(或声子)平均自由程比较接近.金属纳米颗粒的电子热导率远大于声子热导率;电子、声子热导率随着直径减小呈现降低趋势,而电子热导率的颗粒尺度依赖性比声子热导率更为明显;随着颗粒直径进一步减小,声子热导率与电子热导率趋于同一数量级.当纳米颗粒特征尺寸大于4倍块材电子(或声子)平均自由程,其电子(或声子)热导率的颗粒尺度依赖性将减弱.     

Improved Synthesis of 9- and 10-Methylbenz[a] Anthracenes

The synthesis of 9- and 10-methylbenz[a]anthracenes by improved methods are described. These new procedures are simple and convenient, and provide the title compounds in good yields and high purity.     

The effect of F substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd−Fe−B based compounds

Various efforts are currently undertaken to raise the relatively low Curie temperature of the otherwise promising Nd?Fe?B type permanent magnet material. The substitution of Fe by several elements was found to increaseT _c, which, on the other hand, can be accompanied by a reduction of the magnetocrystalline anistropy. In the present paper a systematic Mössbauer study was carried out, using Co, Ni, Al, Si and Ga as substituents. The specific influence of each element upon the magnetic properties is attributed to its preference for entering a certain Fe lattice site. Simple atomic size considerations are proved to be insufficient for explaining the preferred occupation observed experimentally. Obviously the local electronic structure has to be studied more carefully. Finally, the interplay between magnetism and metallurgy (particularly the formation of precipitations), is found to be of some importance.