Effect of Ammonium Salts on the Volumetric and Viscometric Behavior of D(+)-Glucose,D(−)-Fructose and Sucrose in Aqueous Solutions at 25°C

Apparent molar volumes, V _φ, and viscosity, η, of D(+)-glucose, D(−)-fructose and sucrose in water and in 0.02, 0.05, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol·kg⁻¹ aqueous solutions of ammonium bromide, tetraethylammonium bromide and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide have been determined at 25 °C from density and efflux time measurements by using a vibrating-tube digital densimeter and a capillary viscometer, respectively. Partial molar volumes, , at infinite dilution that were extrapolated from the V _φ data were used to obtain the corresponding transfer volumes, , for saccharides from water to different aqueous solutions of co-solutes. The Jones-Dole equation viscosity B-coefficients were obtained from the viscosity data. Positive values of were obtained for the saccharides in the presence of ammonium bromide, whereas both positive and negative values were obtained in the presence of tetraethylammonium and tetra-n-butylammonium bromides. The negative values at very low concentrations have small magnitudes. Volumetric interaction coefficients have been calculated by using the McMillan-Mayer theory and Gibbs energies of activation of viscous flow have been calculated by using Feakin’s transition-state theory equation. The parameters obtained from the volumetric and viscometric studies were used to understand various mixing effects due to the interactions between saccharides and ammonium salts in aqueous solutions.     

Mechanism of the catalyzed by cysteine electroreduction of the insoluble in water cobalt(II) salt as a component of carbon paste electrode

The mechanism of the Co(II) catalytic electroreduction of water insoluble CoR₂ salt in the presence of cysteine was developed. CoR₂ = cobalt(II) cyclohexylbutyrate is the component of a carbon paste electrode. Electrode surface consecutive reactions are: (a) fast (equilibrium) reaction of the complex formation, (b) rate-determining reversible reaction of the promoting process of CoR(Ac⁺) complex formation, (c) rate-determining irreversible reaction of the electroactive complex formation with ligand-induced adsorption, and (d) fast irreversible reaction of the electroreduction. Reactions (a,b) connected with CoR₂ dissolution and reactions (c,d) connected with CoR₂ electroreduction are catalyzed by . Regeneration of (reactions “b,d”) and accumulation of atomic Co(0) (reaction “d”) take place. Experimental data [Sugawara et al., Bioelectrochem Bioenergetics 26:469, 1991]: i _a vs E (i _a is anodic peak, E is cathodic accumulation potential), i _a vs , and i _a vs pH have been quantitatively explained.     

Improvement of the electrochemical properties of “as-grown” boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes deposited on tungsten wires using ethanol

The electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) polycrystalline films grown on tungsten wire substrates using ethanol as a precursor are described. The results obtained show that the use of ethanol improves the electrochemistry properties of “as-grown” BDD, as it minimizes the graphitic phase upon the surface of BDD, during the growth process. The BDD electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The boron-doping levels of the films were estimated to be ∼10²⁰ B/cm³. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using the and redox couples and dopamine. Apparent heterogeneous electro-transfer rate constants were determined for these redox systems using the CV and EIS techniques. values in the range of 0.01–0.1 cm s⁻¹ were observed for the and redox couples, while in the special case of dopamine, a lower value of 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ was found. The obtained results showed that the use of CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) as a carbon source constitutes a promising alternative for manufacturing BDD electrodes for electroanalytical applications.     

Visualization technique for uncertainty budgets: Onion charts

A concise graphical depiction, the “onion” chart, is described for presenting uncertainty budgets for any measurand, y, having a set of component variances, . The onion chart consists of a concentric series of rings. Each ring is constructed from the set of fractional contributions, . The outer ring includes all and depicts the combined standard uncertainty, u _c (y), where u _c ²(y) ≡ ∑u _i ²(y). Moving inward, each successive ring deletes the largest remaining . A “reduced” is calculated for that ring from the remaining set of , with the fractional contributions calculated using the “reduced” . This format facilitates rapid visual comparison of the importance of each component, with minor components becoming visible as the larger components are successively deleted. An example is presented using data from pH metrology, including the physical interpretation of the resulting diagram.     

Effect of the mediator in feedback mode-based SECM interrogation of indium tin-oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

Indium tin-oxide (ITO) and polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) have been examined in detail using the scanning electrochemical microscopy technique in feedback mode. For the interrogation of electrodes made from these materials, the choice of mediator has been varied. Using ferrocene methanol (FcMeOH), and approach curve experiments have been performed, and for purposes of comparison, calculations of the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rates (k _app) have been made using these data. In general, it would appear that values of k _app are affected mainly by the position of the mediator reversible potential relative to the relevant semiconductor band edge (associated with majority carriers). For both the ITO (n type) and BDD (p type) electrodes, charge transfer is impeded and values are very low when using FcMeOH and as mediators, and the use of results in the largest value of k _app. With ITO, the surface is chemically homogeneous and no variation is observed for any given mediator. Data is also presented where the potential of the ITO electrode is fixed using a ratio of the mediators and In stark contrast, the BDD electrode is quite the opposite and a range of k _app values are observed for all mediators depending on the position on the surface. Both electrode surfaces are very flat and very smooth, and hence, for BDD, variations in feedback current imply a variation in the electrochemical activity. A comparison of the feedback current where the substrate is biased and unbiased shows a surprising degree of proportionality.Dedicated to Alan, a good friend and colleague on his 60th birthday.     

Mathematical relations between codon bias indexes and their applications

Codon Adaptation Index (CAI), Effective Number of Codons as well as its modifications , can be used to measure gene codon bias. In this article, we prove is more efficient and unbiased than and by revisiting correlations of them with CAI in the level of individual amino acid’s codon bias. Correlations are studied by mathematical expressions rather than statistic methods, because the latter unavoidably depend on the data set used. Additionally, the immediate cause of correlations of with CAI (as well as those of RSCU with CAI) are also described in mathematical language. Perhaps, mathematics provides us a new way to study correlations between biological indexes.     

Interaction of a finite quantum system with an infinite quantum system that contains a single one-parameter eigenvalue band

Interaction of a finite quantum system that contains ρ eigenvalues and eigenstates with an infinite quantum system that contains a single one-parameter eigenvalue band is considered. A new approach for the treatment of the combined system is developed. This system contains embedded eigenstates with continuous eigenvalues , and, in addition, it may contain isolated eigenstates with discrete eigenvalues . Two ρ × ρ eigenvalue equations, a generic eigenvalue equation and a fractional shift eigenvalue equation are derived. It is shown that all properties of the system that interacts with the system can be expressed in terms of the solutions to those two equations. The suggested method produces correct results, however strong the interaction between quantum systems and . In the case of the weak interaction this method reproduces results that are usually obtained within the formalism of the perturbation expansion approach. However, if the interaction is strong one may encounter new phenomena with much more complex behavior. This is also the region where standard perturbation expansion fails. The method is illustrated with an example of a two-dimensional system that interacts with the infinite system that contains a single one-parameter eigenvalue band. It is shown that all relevant completeness relations are satisfied, however strong the interaction between those two systems. This provides a strong verification of the suggested method.     

On minimal energies of trees of a prescribed diameter

The energy of a graph is defined as the sum of the absolute values of all the eigenvalues of the graph. Let denote the set of trees on n vertices and diameter d, . Yan and Ye [Appl. Math. Lett. 18 (2005) 1046–1052] have recently determined the unique tree in with minimal energy. In this article, the trees in with second-minimal energy are characterizedAMS Subject Classification: 05C50, 05C35     

Kinetics and Equilibria for Complex Formation between Palladium(II) and Chloroacetate

Kinetics and equilibria for the formation of a 1:1 complex between palladium(II) and chloroacetate were studied by spectrophotometric measurements in 1.00 mol HClO₄ at 298.2 K. The equilibrium constant, K, of the reaction

Interaction of an isolated state with an infinite quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands: II. time-dependent case

Time-dependent properties of a state that interacts with an infinite dimensional quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands are considered. This is done by a new mathematical method that produces correct results, however strong the interaction between the state and the system . It is shown that in the case of the weak interaction one obtains standard results that are usually obtained within the formalism of the perturbation expansion method. In particular, if the eigenvalue E of the state is embedded inside the range of the unperturbed eigenvalues, time evolution of the state that is initially prepared in the state has typical exponential decay behavior. One also reproduces standard results concerning probabilities of the transition of the state at infinite time (t=∞) into various eigenvalue bands. However, if the interaction is strong, one finds much more complex and much more complicated behavior.     

Addition of Alkynes to High Nuclearity Platinum–Ruthenium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes

The reactions of the mixed metal cluster complexes PtRu₅(CO)₁₆(μ₆-C)[Pt(PBu )], 5 and PtRu₅(CO)₁₆(μ₆-C)[Pt(PBu ]₂, 6 with selected alkynes have been investigated. Compound 5 adds one and two equivalents of PhC₂H to yield the new compounds PtRu₅(CO)₁₅(μ₆-C)(μ₃-PhC₂H)[Pt(PBu )], 8 and PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂H)₂[Pt(PBu )], 9 at 40 and 68°C, respectively. Compound 6 was found to react with PhC₂H at 40°C to yield the new compound PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂H)[Pt(PBu )]₂, 10. The reaction of 6 with PhC₂Ph at 97°C yielded the new compound PtRu₅(CO) -C)( -PhC₂Ph)₂[Pt(PBu )]₂, 11. All products were characterized crystallographically by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The structure of 8 consists of a pseudo-octahedral PtRu₅ cluster with a second platinum atom bridging a basal edge of the Ru₅ square pyramid. A triply bridging PhC₂H ligand is bonded to the two platinum atoms and one of the ruthenium atoms. The structure of 9 consists of a nido-dodecahedral Pt₂Ru₅ cluster with a carbido ligand in the interior that is not bonded to all seven of the metal atoms. It also contains two triply bridging PhC₂H ligands. The structure of 10 consists of a central octahedral cluster of five ruthenium atoms and one platinum atom. Two additional platinum atoms are bonded to the platinum atom in this cluster but these atoms are not bonded to any other metal atoms of the PtRu₅ cluster. A triply bridging PhC₂H ligand is coordinated to the group of three platinum atoms. The structure of 11 consists of an octahedral PtRu₅ cluster with two additional platinum atoms capping two PtRu₂ triangular faces. There are two PhC₂Ph ligands bridging two Ru₃ triangular faces of the central octahedron. This report is dedicated to Professor Ilya Moiseev on the occasion of his 75th birthday for his many pioneering contributions to the chemistry of metal clusters.     

Direct and exchange contributions to inner and outer radii in many-electron atoms

Within the Hartree-Fock framework, the spinless two-electron density function Γ (r ₁, r ₂) consists of direct Γ_di (r ₁, r ₂) and exchange Γ_ex (r ₁, r ₂) parts. Accordingly, the inner and outer radii in many-electron systems are rigorously separated into the direct and exchange contributions, i.e., and . It is generally shown that and , where is the usual average radius of an electron. Numerical examinations of the direct and exchange contributions for the 102 atoms from He to Lr in their ground states find that the electron exchange works to decrease and increase . However, the exchange parts are very small and the direct parts essentially govern the inner and outer radii.     

Interaction of an isolated state with an infinite quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands: I. Time-independent case

A new method for the exact solution of the interaction of an isolated state with an infinite dimensional quantum system §_∞ ^b containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands is developed. Unlike standard perturbation expansion approach, this method produces correct results however strong the interaction between the state and the system . It is shown that in the case of the weak interaction this method correctly reproduces standard results obtained within the formalism of the perturbation expansion method. In particular, due to the interaction with the system , eigenvalue E of the state shifts to a new position. In addition, if this eigenvalue is embedded inside the range of the unperturbed eigenvalues, this shifted eigenvalue broadens and spectral distribution of the state has the shape of the universal resonance curve. However, if the interaction is strong, one finds much more complex and much more complicated behavior     

Mechanical properties of mixed conducting La0.5Sr0.5Fe1−x Co x O3−δ (0≤x≤1) materials

Young’s modulus, strain–stress behavior, fracture strength, and fracture toughness of (0≤×≤1) materials have been investigated in the temperature range 20–1,000°C. Young’s moduli of and , measured by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, were 130±1 and 133±3 GPa, respectively. The nonlinear stress–strain relationship observed by four-point bending at room temperature was inferred as a signature of ferroelastic behavior of the materials. Above the ferroelastic to paraelastic transition temperature, the materials showed elastic behavior, but due to high-temperature creep, a nonelastic respond reappeared above ∼800°C. The room temperature fracture strength measured by four-point bending was in the range 107–128 MPa. The corresponding fracture toughness of , measured by single edge V-notch beam method, was 1.16±0.12 MPa·m^1/2. The measured fracture strength and fracture toughness were observed to increase with increasing temperature. The fracture mode changed from intragranular at low temperature to intergranular at high temperature. Tensile stress gradient at the surface of the materials caused by a frozen-in gradient in the oxygen content during cooling was proposed to explain the low ambient temperature fracture strength and toughness.     

Uncertainty of measurement for the determination of fluoride in water and wastewater by direct selective electrode potentiometry

A procedure to estimate the uncertainty of measurement applied to the fluoride determination of waters and wastewaters matrices by selective electrode potentiometry was implemented based on Eurachem Guide. The major sources of uncertainty were identified as the calibration standard solutions, fluoride concentration obtained by potential interpolation of the regression line and the precision. However the relative uncertainties depend on the anion concentration levels. The methodology proposed was presented to two fluoride concentration levels that are in the range of surface water samples (C _sample=1.12 mgF l⁻¹) and of wastewater matrices (C _sample=101.4 mgF l⁻¹). The expanded uncertainties calculated were 0.40 and 9.1 mg l⁻¹ for low and high concentration levels, respectively, using the reproducibility uncertainty as precision evaluation. The relative expanded uncertainty was around ±10% for the highest concentration, which can be considered acceptable for the ion selective electrode potenciometric methods and ±36% for the lowest concentrations. In this case the sample fluoride content is very close to the limit of quantification which has a relative uncertainty of about ±30%. If the repeatability was used in spite of duplicate analysis the same conclusions were obtained (C _sample=1.12 ± 0.39 mgF l⁻¹ and C _sample=101.4 ± 7.0 mgF l⁻¹). Although the calculated expanded uncertainties and consequently the combined uncertainty, do not vary significantly in the cases where it was used the repeatability or reproducibility for evaluating the precision, each relative variances uncertainty contributions do. When the repeatability is used to determine the combined uncertainty, the CSS and uncertainties contributions are the most dominant ones. However, if reproducibility is used, relative uncertainty variance contributions are distributed among CSS, C _F, and precision. In both cases, the contribution increases and r _CSS contribution decreases with the increasing of the concentration level. The precision variance contribution is only significant in the case where the reproducibility is used, and increases with the increasing of the concentration level. The uncertainty in the result calculated using the proposed methodology (C _sample ± U _sample = 2.17 ± 0.42 mgF l⁻¹) is in satisfactory agreement with the estimated expanded uncertainty obtained using the relative reproducibility standard deviation obtained in interlaboratory studies ().     

Identifiability of chemical reaction networks

We consider the dynamics of chemical reaction networks under the assumption of mass-action kinetics. We show that there exist reaction networks for which the reaction rate constants are not uniquely identifiable, even if we are given complete information on the dynamics of concentrations for all chemical species of . Also, we show that there exist reaction networks such that their dynamics are identical under appropriate choices of reaction rate constants, and present theorems that characterize the properties of , , that make this possible. We use these facts to show how we can determine dynamical properties of some chemical networks by analyzing other chemical networks.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(lactic acid) and glucosamine-formaldehyde/dodecylbenzenesulfonate composite films

The composite films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) doped with glucosamine(Gluc)-formaldehyde(FA) polymer/sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) complexes at 1–5 wt% were synthesized to demonstrate striking improvement of their structural and mechanical properties. The polymer complexes were obtained by the hydrothermal polymerization of Gluc and FA at a molar ratio of 1:2 in the presence of SDBS. The atomic ratios of S in to N in (=S/N) in the polymer complexes limitedly range from 0.52 to 0.69, indicating that the complexation develops through the nonstoichiometric reaction between groups of (Gluc-FA) polymer and ones of SDBS and 31–48% of the groups remain unbound. The PLA composite film doped with 1 wt% (Gluc-FA)/SDBS showed the elongation-at-break of as large as 194% compared with 37% for PLA film, together with an appreciable increase of the crystallites size (D ₂₀₀) of PLA from 21.8 to 33.3 nm.     

On the charge storage mechanism at RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/0.5 M H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> interface

Comparative study of capacitative properties of RuO₂/0.5 M H₂SO₄ and Ru/0.5 M H₂SO₄ interfaces has been performed with a view to find out the nature of electrochemical processes involved in the charge storage mechanism of ruthenium (IV) oxide. The methods of cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed for the investigation of electrochemical behavior and surface morphology of RuO₂ electrodes. It has been suggested that supercapacitor behavior of RuO₂ phase in the potential E range between 0.4 and 1.4 V vs reference hydrogen electrode (RHE) should be attributed to double-layer-type capacitance, related to non-faradaic highly reversible process of ionic pair formation and annihilation at RuO₂/electrolyte interface as described by following summary equation:

Cluster Oxalate Complexes [W3(μ3-Q)(μ2-Q)3 (C2O4)3(H2O)3]2? (Q=S, Se): Mechanochemical Synthesis and Crystal Structure

Mechanochemical reaction of cluster coordination polymers (Q=S, Se) with solid leads to the cluster core excision with the formation of anionic complexes . Extraction of the reaction mixture with water followed by crystallization gives crystalline (main product) and (1) (minor product). In the case of the Se cluster, the complex could not be isolated, and the treatment of the aqueous extract with PPh₃ gave (2) in a low yield. Alternatively, it was obtained from and in high yield. Both 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Dedicated to Academician I. I. Moiseev on the occasion of his 75th birthday and in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cluster chemistry.     

Interfacial behavior of sulforhodamine 101 at the polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane interface studied by spectroelectrochemical techniques

The transfer mechanism of an amphoteric rhodamine, sulforhodamine 101 (SR101), across the polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, differential voltfluorometry and potential-modulated fluorescence (PMF) spectroscopy. The voltammetric response for the ion transfer of SR101 monoanion from water to DCE was observed as the diffusion-controlled transfer process. An unusual voltammetric response was found at 0.15 V more negative than the formal transfer potential of SR101⁻ in the cyclic voltammogram and voltfluorogram. The frequency dependence of the PMF responses confirmed the presence of the adsorption processes at negative potentials. In addition, a further transient adsorption step was uncovered at The interfacial mechanism of SR101 is discussed by comparing the results obtained from each technique.