All-Solid-State PVC Membrane Ag+-Selective Electrodes Based on Diaza-18-Crown-6 Compounds

Two diaza-crown ether compounds were synthesized and evaluated as Ag⁺-selective carriers in polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane electrodes of solid-state type. The all-solid-state PVC membrane electrode based on N,N-Dibenzyl-dibenzo-diaza-18-crown-6 exhibited a super-Nernstian response (75±10mV per decade) over the concentration range of 1×10^–1 to 7×10^–6M of Ag⁺ ion and a detection limit of 3×10^–6M, at a wide range of pH (pH 4–7). The response time of the electrode was fast (less than 10s), and it can be used for three months without any significant deviation in potential. The proposed all-solid-state PVC membrane electrodes revealed high selectivity toward Ag⁺ ion with respect to alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metal ions. A flow-through cell of all-solid-state PVC membrane Ag⁺-selective electrode based on N,N-Dibenzyl-dibenzo-diaza-18-crown-6 has also been prepared and applied for flow-injection analysis of Ag⁺ ion in solution.     

Optimal contracting with effort and misvaluation

We propose a new continuous-time contracting model, in which the firm value process can only be observed with noise, and there are two sources of moral hazard: the agent’s effort and misvaluation. The principal can induce the agent to alter the perceived fundamental value of the firm through misvaluation, thus changing the market estimate of that value. We consider two cases in detail: the one in which the market correctly anticipates only the effort, and the other in which it correctly anticipates both the effort and the amount of misvaluation. In the first case, we find that it is optimal for the principal to induce the agent to apply a non-zero amount of misvaluation. Using calculus of variation techniques, we find the optimal pay-per-performance sensitivity (PPS) of the contract and optimal effort and misvaluation amount, by means of solving of a second order ordinary differential equation. In the second case, which can be viewed as an extension of the seminal Holmstrom-Milgrom model to the case of noisy observations, we find that the optimal misvaluation value is zero, and we compare the resulting optimal contract to the Holmstrom-Milgrom contract.     

An Investigation of the Seismic Behaviour of an Ancient Masonry Bastion Using Non-Destructive and Numerical Methods

Determining the structural behavior of masonry structures is a challenge due to their lack of homogeneity. The seismic behavior of masonry structures is especially complex. The aim of this study was to examine the structural behavior of Za?anos Bastion using both experimental and numerical methods. The Operational Modal Analysis technique, including the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition Method, and the Stochastic Subspace Identification Method were used to illustrate experimentally the dynamic characteristic of the bastion. A finite element model was developed using ANSYS software in order that the dynamic characteristics of the bastion, including natural frequencies and mode shapes, could be calculated numerically. Seismic analysis was carried out using the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake ground motion record to determine the linear and nonlinear seismic behavior of the bastion. The Turkish Earthquake Code and its general technical specifications were used to evaluate the seismic results. The results show that the maximum and minimum principal stresses exerted on the masonry components exceeded the code requirements at some points, but in general the requirements for the stresses were satisfied.     

Corrigendum to: on the inheritance of the strongly π-extending property

In this corrigendum, we provide correct versions of Theorem 2.8 and Corollary 3.2, retract two consequences of the previous form of the Theorem 2.8. To this end, the main results of the article remain after the aforementioned changes.     

Comparison of Penta and Tetra-pyridyl Cobalt-based Catalysts for Water Reduction: H2 Production Cycle,Solvent Response and Reduction Free Energy

Understanding water reduction towards H₂ generation is crucial to overcome today's renewable energy obstacles. Previous studies have shown the superior H₂ production performances of Cobalt based penta-pyridyl (CoaPPy) and tetra-pyridyl (CoaTPy) complexes in solution. We investigate H₂ production cycles of CoaPPy and CoaTPy complexes immersed in water solution by means of Ab-initio Molecular Dynamics and Density Functional Theory. We monitor dynamic properties of the systems, solvent response and structural changes occurring in the catalysts, by simulating all intermediate steps of the H₂ production cycle. Reduction free energies and reorganization energies are calculated. Our results show that, following the first electron injection, H₂ production proceeds with the singlet spin state. Following the first electron insertion, we observe a significant rearrangement of the hydrogen bonding network in the first solvation shell. The cobalt center turns out to be more accessible for the surrounding water molecules in the case of CoaTPy at all the intermediate steps, which explains its higher catalytic performance over CoaPPy. Following the first reduction reaction, a larger gain in reduction free energy is estimated for CoaTPy with respect to CoaPPy, with a difference of 0.14 eV, in line with the experiments. For the second reduction, instead, CoaPPy shows more negative reduction potential, by 0.41 eV.     

Radiation induced copolymerization reactivity of different allyl monomers with styrene

Radiation induced copolymerizations of electron donating such as allyl phenol (AP) and electron withdrawing such as allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) monomers with styrene (Sty) as a comonomer were studied in order to correlate the electronic behavior with copolymerization yield and molecular weight. The allyl monomers and comonomer were mixed in the same mol ratios under Ar atmosphere and copolymerized by using gamma radiation in various absorbed doses (55, 110, 165 kGy) obtained from a Co-60 source. Poly(AP-co-Sty), and poly(AITC-co-Sty) could have been prepared at all of the absorbed doses. The maximum copolymerization yields were calculated as a 16.35 and 6.52 percent for poly(AP-co-Sty) and poly(AITC-co-Sty), respectively. The molecular weights of poly(AP-co-Sty) copolymers are found to be higher in comparison to those of poly(AITC-co-Sty). Both results indicate that, under the same irradiation conditions, AP is more reactive on styrene than AITC is. Thus, the monomers having electron withdrawing (EW) substituents attached to allyl group may result in better copolymerization yield and molecular weight than those with electron donating (ED) substituents. Thermal stabilities of the poly(AP-co-Sty) copolymers are also higher than those of poly(AITC-co-Sty).     

Electrochemical Detection of a Cancer Biomarker mir‐21 in Cell Lysates Using Graphene Modified Sensors

In the present study, the voltammetric and impidimetric detection of microRNA‐21, mir‐21 from cell lysates was investigated for the first time by using graphene modified disposable pencil graphite electrodes (GME). The surface characterization of GME was performed via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Upon passive adsorption of inosine substituted antimicroRNA‐21, antimir‐21 probe, InP, onto the surface of GME and then solid phase hybridization of InP with mir‐21, the target, the electrochemical detection was performed by using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) and EIS techniques. This developed biosensor, GME has presented a 2.77 times lower detection limit of 2.09 µg/mL (3.12 pmol) with respect to unmodified pencil graphite electrode (GE). Moreover it is capable of analyzing mir‐21 in the cell lysates of mir‐21 positive breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) contrast to mir‐21 negative hepatoma cell line (HUH‐7). The proposed electrochemical yes‐no system does not require any purification and/or amplification step prior to fast detection of mir‐21 from real samples.     

On the inheritance of the strongly π-extending property

In this article, we focus on modules with the property that every projection invariant submodule is essential in a fully invariant direct summand. In contrast to π-extending condition, it is shown that the former property is inherited by direct summands and Morita invariant. An application of our results yields that the endomorphism ring of a free module enjoys the property. Moreover, we characterize generalized triangular matrix rings with the aforementioned property and apply to somewhat special cases.     

A study on densities of sets of points and lines

In this paper, firstly, our purpose is to give the relationship among the densities of the sets of collinear points, the relationship among the densities of the sets of noncollinear points, and the relationship among the densities of the sets of the intersecting lines in Euclidean plane, respectively. In addition to that, we define the density formulas for the sets of points and lines under the two‐parameter planar Euclidean motion. By means of these results, we obtain essential properties that explain the connection among the densities of the sets of points and among the densities of the sets of intersecting lines under the two‐parameter planar Euclidean motion.