Synthesis of the One-dimensional Compound (Ph4P)[In(P2Se6)] in a Ph4P+-Containing Selenophosphate Flux,and Structure of [In(P2Se6)2]5– – a Discrete Molecular Fragment of the [In(P2Se6)]nn– Chain

The reaction of one equivalent of In with a molten flux of (Ph₄P)₂Se₅ and P₂Se₅ (1 : 2), at 250 °C gave the (Ph₄P)[In(P₂Se₆)] ( I ). Stoichiometric elemental synthesis at 750 °C produced the Cs₅In(P₂Se₆)₂ ( II ). The thin, yellow crystals of ( I ), and the irregular, dark orange crystals of ( II ), appear to be air- and water-stable. Compound ( I ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) and at 23 °C: a = 23.127(7) Å, b = 6.564(1) Å, c = 19.083(3) Å, β = 97.42(2)°, V = 2873(1) ų, Z = 4, final R/R_w = 4.4/5.2%. Compound ( II ) crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₂/m (no. 84) and at 23 °C: a = b = 13.886(1) Å, c = 7.597(2) Å, V = 1464.9(3) ų, Z = 2, final R/R_w = 3.9/5.1%. Compound ( I ) contains infinite [In(P₂Se₆)]_n^n– with a structure related to that of K₂FeP₂Se₆. Compound ( II ) contains the discrete [In(P₂Se₆)₂]^5– which can be viewed as a fragment of the [In(P₂Se₆)]_n^n– chain.     

In vivo quantification and pharmacokinetic studies of cotinine in mice after smoke exposure by LC–MS/MS

A sensitive analytical method was developed and validated for the quantification of cotinine in mouse plasma after exposure to smoke of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 commercially available cigarettes, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated over a linear concentration range of 0.075–20.0 ng/mL with the R² value being higher than 0.99. Both the precision (coefficient of variation; %) and accuracy (relative error; %) were within acceptable criteria of <15%. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for cotinine was 0.075 ng/mL with sufficient specificity, accuracy, and precision. Following exposure to 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cigarette smoke, it was observed that the AUC and the C_max increased linearly as the doses increased. The pharmacokinetics of cotinine was found linear for the range of 0.5–1.5 commercial cigarette smoke. The quantification of the concentration of cotinine in mouse plasma after smoke exposure will facilitate future behavioral and toxicological experiments in animals and may prove useful in predicting cotinine levels in humans during smoking.     

Photophysics of 9,9-Dimethylacridan-Substituted Phenylstyrylpyrimidines Exhibiting Long-Lived Intramolecular Charge-Transfer Fluorescence and Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics

Six pyrimidine-based push–pull systems substituted at positions C2 and C4/6 with phenylacridan and styryl moieties, employing methoxy or N,N-diphenylamino donors, have been designed and synthesized through cross-coupling and Knoevenagel reactions. X-ray analysis confirmed that the molecular structure featured the acridan moiety arranged perpendicularly to the residual π system. Photophysical studies revealed significant differences between the methoxy and N,N-diphenylamino chromophores. Solvatochromic studies revealed that the methoxy derivatives showed dual emission in polar solvents. Time-resolved spectroscopy revealed that the higher energy band involved very fast (<80 ps) fluorescence, whereas the lower energy one included long components (≈30 ns) due to long-lived intramolecular charge-transfer fluorescence. In contrast to N,N-diphenylamino chromophores, the methoxy derivatives also showed aggregation-induced emission in mixtures of THF/water, as well as dual emission in thin films, covering almost the whole visible spectrum with corresponding chromaticity coordinates not far from that of pure white light. These properties render the methoxy derivatives as very promising organic materials for white organic light-emitting diodes.     

Validation and application of a protocol for the extraction and quantitative analysis of sphingomyelin in erythrocyte membranes of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A set of constituents of the erythrocyte membrane lipidome has been proposed to serve as biomarkers for liver disease and acute...     

On the connection between the solutions to the Dirac and Weyl equations and the corresponding electromagnetic four-potentials

In this work we study in detail the connection between the solutions to the Dirac and Weyl equations and the associated electromagnetic four-potentials.First,it is proven that all solutions to the Weyl equation are degenerate,in the sense that they correspond to an infinite number of electromagnetic four-potentials.As far as the solutions to the Dirac equation are concerned,it is shown that they can be classified into two classes.The elements of the first class correspond to one and only one four-potential,and are called non-degenerate Dirac solutions.On the other hand,the elements of the second class correspond to an infinite number of four-potentials,and are called degenerate Dirac solutions.Further,it is proven that at least two of these fourpotentials are gauge-inequivalent,corresponding to different electromagnetic fields.In order to illustrate this particularly important result we have studied the degenerate solutions to the forcefree Dirac equation and shown that they correspond to massless particles.We have also provided explicit examples regarding solutions to the force-free Weyl equation and the Weyl equation for a constant magnetic field.In all cases we have calculated the infinite number of different electromagnetic fields corresponding to these solutions.Finally,we have discussed potential applications of our results in cosmology,materials science and nanoelectronics.     

A discrete event simulation model in the case of managing a software project

The design and development of large-scale software projects is a complex endeavor, often facing problems like cost and schedule overruns as well as low quality. Over the last years the management of software development projects has been recognized as the cornerstone point of seeking improvement and solutions. Simulation modeling of the software project process is gaining interest among academics and practitioners, as a method to tackle the complex questions with which relevant enterprises are confronted. It offers support on several issues, such as defining software product development strategies, decision-making regarding process improvement and training, in a time span ranging from a short portion of the life cycle to long term product evolution, with organization-wide implications. The aim of this work is to implement a model simulating a core part of a software project process, enabling the estimation of several project development details such as delivery times and quality metrics. The purpose of the model is to assist project managers in control and monitoring, but also in identifying the best planning alternatives. The model scope covers a portion of the life cycle of an incremental software development venture.     

Evolution of primordial magnetic fields

A new mechanism for the evolution of primordial magnetic fields is described and analysed. The field evolution is followed from the time of its creation until the epoch of structure and galaxy formation. The mechanism takes into account the turbulent behaviour of the early universe plasma, whose properties determine strongly the evolution of the field configuration. A number of other related issues such as the case of an electroweak plasma are also considered. Finally, as an example, the mechanism is applied to specific models.     

Graphene‐Based Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells: Advancements,Fundamental Challenges,and Prospects

Metal halide based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered among the most promising photovoltaic technologies, and already present certified efficiencies that surpass 22 %. The high performance and low fabrication cost make this technology competitive with that of state‐of‐the‐art thin‐film photovoltaics. However, PSCs present some striking disadvantages that hinder their commercialization, including short operational lifetimes, high toxicity, and hysteresis effects, which lower both the performance and long‐term stability of the devices. Herein, work conducted within the last two years is summarized with regard to addressing the challenges of low‐temperature‐processed planar inverted PSCs composed of graphene‐based materials. In addition, critical challenges and the prospects of this field are discussed and some prospects for future research directions are proposed.     

Study of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)/CdS nanocomposite organic/inorganic gels

CdS nanoparticles have been synthesized and stabilized in poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels. The properties of the composite material have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and steady-state and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. This material can be obtained in three different states: swollen, shrunk, and freeze-dried. The swollen and the freeze-dried states correspond to a nanocomposite organic/inorganic (wet or dry) gel containing CdS nanoparticles of approximately 50 nm diameter while the shrunk state is a two-phase system containing CdS crystals, which precipitate forming interesting geometrical shapes.