Crystallization study of Se<Subscript>86</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>14</Subscript> glass

The present study concerns with high-accuracy determination of crystallization activation energy (\(E_{\text{c}}\)), the frequency factor (\(k_{0}\)), the kinetic exponent (n) for Se₈₆Sb₁₄ glass. Different three methods have been used to investigate the \(E_{\text{c}} \,{\text{and}}\,k_{0 }\) values. It was found that the deduced value of k ₀ based on Kissinger’s method is too small compared with the others. Therefore, it can’t be used to investigate k ₀ value. Where \(E_{\text{c}} \,{\text{and}}\,k_{0}\) values are already known, the overall reaction rate \(k = k_{0 } { \exp }\left( { - E_{\text{c}} /\left( {R \cdot T} \right)} \right)\) at any temperature can be calculated. Now, Avrami’s equation (\(\chi = 1 - { \exp }\left( { - \left( {kt} \right)^{\text{n}} } \right)\)) contains only one unknown which is the kinetic exponent (n). This method enables us to determine n value without any approximations. The values’ crystallization fraction \((\chi_{\text{th}} )\) that theoretically calculated is the same as that experimentally investigated \((\chi_{{{ \exp } .}} )\).     

Thermodynamic Properties of Ternary Ionic Liquid Mixture Containing a Common Ion: Excess Molar Volumes,Excess Isentropic Compressibilities,Excess Molar Enthalpies and Excess Heat Capacities

In the present investigations, the excess molar volumes, \( V_{ijk}^{\text{E}} \), excess isentropic compressibilities, \( \left( {\kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), and excess heat capacities, \( \left( {C_{p}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), for ternary 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (i) + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (j) + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (k) mixture at (293.15, 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15) K and excess molar enthalpies, \( \left( {H^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), of the same mixture at 298.15 K have been determined over entire composition range of x _i and x _j . Satisfactorily corrections for the excess properties \( V_{ijk}^{\text{E}} \), \( \left( {\kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), \( \left( {H^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) and \( \left( {C_{p}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) have been obtained by fitting with the Redlich–Kister equation, and ternary adjustable parameters along with standard errors have also been estimated. The \( V_{ijk}^{\text{E}} \), \( \left( {\kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), \( \left( {H^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) and \( \left( {C_{p}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) data have been further analyzed in terms of Graph Theory that deals with the topology of the molecules. It has also been observed that Graph Theory describes well \( V_{ijk}^{\text{E}} \), \( \left( {\kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \), \( \left( {H^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) and \( \left( {C_{p}^{\text{E}} } \right)_{ijk} \) values of the ternary mixture comprised of ionic liquids.     

Methodology to determine the apparent specific heat capacity of metal hydroxides for thermochemical energy storage

Thermochemical energy storage uses reversible thermochemical reactions to store and release heat, representing a promising technology for energy conservation and utilizing fluctuating renewable energy sources and waste heat. Many recent studies have focused on determination of the enthalpy of reaction of possible thermochemical materials (TCM) based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). So far, comparatively few attempts have been made to characterize the apparent specific heat capacity at constant pressure \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) of the investigated TCM. The purpose of this study is to outline a measurement and analysis procedure to evaluate \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) of powdery TCM. The procedure is presented focusing on two metal hydroxides Ca(OH)₂ and Mg(OH)₂. Preliminary TGA experiments were conducted to identify reaction-free temperature intervals and mass change. Starting from the metal hydroxide, subsequent DSC experiments with two consecutive heating and cooling cycles were carried out to determine \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) of the initial hydroxide and the oxide product. Three separate DSC runs for each candidate enable an evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) results were compared to available literature data. Preliminary TGA experiments have shown that the applied heating rate β has a strong effect on the measured dehydration reaction. This result influences the consecutive \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) interpretation of the metal hydroxides. Analysis of the measured \(c_{\text{p}}^{\text{app}} \left( T \right)\) data compared to literature show good agreement for both metal hydroxides and oxides. Overlapping endotherm effects, which are not part of \(c_{\text{p}} \left( T \right)\), have to be considered for further thermal conductivity calculations.     

Prospective Applications of Low Frequency Glow Discharge Plasmas on Enhanced Germination,Growth and Yield of Wheat

Medium pressure (~ 10 torr) low frequency (3–5 kHz) glow discharge (LFGD) plasmas were applied to treat wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds to investigate the effects on water absorption, seed germination rate, seedling growth and yield. The LFGD plasmas were produced with air and air/O ₂. Optical emission spectroscopic diagnostic methods were revealed that the \({\text{N}}_{2} \left( {{\text{C}}^{3}\Pi _{\text{u}} - {\text{B}}^{3}\Pi _{\text{g}} } \right)\), \({\text{N}}_{2}^{ + } \left( {{\text{B}}^{2}\Sigma _{\text{u}}^{ + } - {\text{X}}^{2}\Sigma _{\text{g}}^{ + } } \right)\) and \({\text{N}}_{2} \left( {{\text{B}}^{3}\Pi _{\text{g}} - {\text{A}}^{3}\Sigma _{\text{u}}^{ + } } \right)\) produced with air, and O species were produced along with nitrogen species with air/O ₂ plasmas, respectively. The SEM images were revealed that the surface architectures and functionalities of the seeds were modified due to plasma treatments. Water absorption was found to increase with treatment time. 6 min treatment was provided 95–100% seed germination. The plants grown from treated seeds for 3 and 9 min duration by air/O ₂ plasma were showed the highest growth activity and dry matter accumulation. Total chlorophyll contents of the leaves, longest spikes and number of spikes/spikelet were also increased. The wheat yield was increased ~ 20% over control by 6 min treatment with air/O ₂ plasma. Overall results revealed that LFGD plasmas can significantly change seed surface architecture, water absorption, germination rate, seedling growth and yield of wheat.     

Additional Aspects of Complexation of Gold(I) with Thiomalate

Some equilibria involving gold(I) thiomalate (mercaptosuccinate, TM) complexes have been studied in the aqueous solution at 25 °C and I?=?0.2 mol·L^?1 (NaCl). In the acidic region, the oxidation of TM by \( {\text{AuCl}}_{4}^{ - } \) proceeds with the formation of sulfinic acid, and gold(III) is reduced to gold(I). The interaction of gold(I) with TM at n_TM/n_Au?≤?1 leads to the formation of highly stable cyclic polymeric complexes \( {\text{Au}}_{m} \left( {\text{TM}} \right)_{m}^{*} \) with various degrees of protonation depending on pH. In general, the results agree with the tetrameric form of this complex proposed in the literature. At n_TM/n_Au?>?1, the processes of opening the cyclic structure, depolymerization and the formation of \( {\text{Au}}\left( {\text{TM}} \right)_{2}^{*} \) occur: \( {\text{Au}}_{4} ( {\text{TM)}}_{4}^{8 - } + {\text{TM}}^{3 - } \rightleftharpoons {\text{Au}}_{ 4} ( {\text{TM)}}_{5}^{11 - } \), log₁₀ K₄₅?=?10.1?±?0.5; 0.25 \( {\text{Au}}_{4} ( {\text{TM)}}_{4}^{8 - } + {\text{TM}}^{3 - } \rightleftharpoons {\text{Au(TM)}}_{2}^{5 - } \), log₁₀ K₁₂?=?4.9?±?0.2. The standard potential of \( {\text{Au(TM)}}_{2}^{5 - } \) is \( E_{1/0}^{ \circ } = -0. 2 5 5\pm 0.0 30{\text{ V}} \). The numerous protonation processes of complexes at pH?<?7 were described with the use of effective functions.     

The impact of the stretching exponent on fragility of glass-forming liquids

The paper compared two factors governing fragility. The first one is thermodynamic, depending on the change in configurational entropy. The second one is kinetic and is determined by the stretching exponent β. Using a simple mathematical development, we show that the kinetic term \(m_{\text{K}} = f( {\beta_{{T_{\text{g}} }} } )\partial \ln \beta \left( T \right)/\partial \ln T|_{{T = T_{\text{g}} }}\) is always smaller than 1, where T _g is the glass transition temperature and \(f( {\beta_{{T_{\text{g}} }} } )\) is the given functions of the stretching exponent at T = T _g. As a result, the contribution of the kinetic term on the fragility of strong glasses is <6 %. Fragile glasses have a larger value of fragility index m, and for them, the influence of the kinetic term is significantly smaller. In any case, the thermodynamic term plays the main role in fragility and the kinetic one can be neglected.     

The Study of Solute–Solvent Interactions in 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate + 2-Pyrrolidone from Volumetric,Acoustic, Optical and Spectral Properties

The density (ρ), speed of sound (u) and refractive index (n_D) of [Bmim][PF₆], 2-pyrrolidone and their binary mixtures were measured over the whole composition range as a function of temperature between (303.15 and 323.15)?K at atmospheric pressure. Experimental values were used to calculate the excess molar volumes \( \left( {V_{m}^{\text{E}} } \right) \), excess partial molar volumes \( \left( {\overline{V}_{m}^{\text{E}} } \right) \), partial molar volumes at infinite dilution \( \left( {\overline{V}_{m}^{{{\text{E}},\infty }} } \right) \), excess values of isentropic compressibility \( \left( {\kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} } \right) \), free length \( \left( {L_{\text{f}}^{\text{E}} } \right) \) and speeds of sound \( \left( {u^{\text{E}} } \right) \) for the binary mixtures. The calculated properties are discussed in terms of molecular interactions between the components of the mixtures. The results reveal that interactions between unlike molecules take place, particularly through intermolecular hydrogen bond formation between the C₂–H of [Bmim][PF₆] and the carbonyl group of pyrrolidin-2-one. An excellent correlation between thermodynamic and IR spectroscopic measurements was observed. The observations were further supported by the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson (PFP) theory of excess molar volume.     

Lego-like spheres and tori

Given a connected surface \({\mathbb {F}}^2\) with Euler characteristic \(\chi \) and three integers \(b>a\ge 1<k\), an \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {F}}^2\) is a \({\mathbb {F}}^2\)-embedded graph, having vertices of degree only k and only a- and b-gonal faces. The main case are (geometric) fullerenes (5, 6; 3)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\). By \(p_a\), \(p_b\) we denote the number of a-gonal, b-gonal faces. Call an \((\{a,b\};k)\)-map lego-admissible if either \(\frac{p_b}{p_a}\), or \(\frac{p_a}{p_b}\) is integer. Call it lego-like if it is either \(ab^f\)-lego map, or \(a^fb\)-lego map, i.e., the face-set is partitioned into \(\min (p_a,p_b)\) isomorphic clusters, legos, consisting either one a-gon and \(f=\frac{p_b}{p_a}\,b\)-gons, or, respectively, \(f=\frac{p_a}{p_b}\,a\)-gons and one b-gon; the case \(f=1\) we denote also by ab. Call a \((\{a,b\};k)\)-map elliptic, parabolic or hyperbolic if the curvature \(\kappa _b=1+\frac{b}{k}-\frac{b}{2}\) of b-gons is positive, zero or negative, respectively. There are 14 lego-like elliptic \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \((a,b)\ne (1,2)\). No \((\{1,3\};6)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) is lego-admissible. For other 7 families of parabolic \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\), each lego-admissible sphere with \(p_a\le p_b\) is \(a^fb\) and an infinity (by Goldberg–Coxeter operation) of \(ab^f\)-spheres exist. The number of hyperbolic \(ab^f\,(\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \((a,b)\ne (1,3)\) is finite. Such \(a^f b\)-spheres with \(a\ge 3\) have \((a,k)=(3,4),(3,5),(4,3),(5,3)\) or (3, 3); their number is finite for each b, but infinite for each of 5 cases (a, k). Any lego-admissible \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \(p_b=2\le a\) is \(a^f b\). We list, explicitly or by parameters, lego-admissible \((\{a,b\};k)\)-maps among: hyperbolic spheres, spheres with \(a\in \{1,2\}\), spheres with \(p_b\in \{2,\frac{p_a}{2}\}\), Goldberg–Coxeter’s spheres and \((\{a,b\};k)\)-tori. We present extensive computer search of lego-like spheres: 7 parabolic (\(p_b\)-dependent) families, basic examples of all 5 hyperbolic \(a^fb\) (b-dependent) families with \(a\ge 3\), and lego-like \((\{a,b\};3)\)-tori.     

Thermodynamic Study on the Protonation and Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Complexation of a Biodegradable Chelant (HEIDA) at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

A potentiometric method has been used for the determination of the protonation constants of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HEIDA or L) at various temperatures 283.15?≤?T/K?≤?383.15 and different ionic strengths of NaCl_(aq), 0.12?≤?I/mol·kg^?1?≤?4.84. Ionic strength dependence parameters were calculated using a Debye–Hückel type equation, Specific Ion Interaction Theory and Pitzer equations. Protonation constants at infinite dilution calculated by the SIT model are \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{1}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 8.998 \pm 0.008 \) (amino group), \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{2}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 2.515 \pm 0.009 \) and \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{3}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 1.06 \pm 0.002 \) (carboxylic groups). The formation constants of HEIDA complexes with sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined. In the first case, the formation of a weak complex species, NaL, was found and the stability constant value at infinite dilution is log₁₀K_NaL?=?0.78?±?0.23. For Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, the CaL, CaHL, CaL₂ and MgL species were found, respectively. The calculated stability constants for the calcium complexes at T?=?298.15 K and I?=?0.150 mol·dm^?3 are: log₁₀β_CaL?=?4.92?±?0.01, log₁₀β_CaHL?=?11.11?±?0.02 and \( \log_{10} \beta_{\text{Ca{L}}_{2}} \)?=?7.84?±?0.03, while for the magnesium complex (at I?=?0.176 mol·dm^?3): log₁₀β_MgL?=?2.928?±?0.006. Protonation thermodynamic functions have also been calculated and interpreted.     

Thermo Physical and Spectroscopic Properties of Binary Liquid Systems: Ethanoic Acid/Propanoic Acid/Butanoic Acid with 2-Methylaniline

Densities (ρ), speeds of sound (u), and viscosities (η) are reported for binary mixtures of 2-methylaniline with carboxylic acids (ethanoic acid, propanoic acid and butanoic acid) over the entire composition range of mole fraction at T?=?(303.15–318.15) K and at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). The excess properties such as excess molar volume (V _m ^E ), excess isentropic compressibility (κ _S ^E ) and excess Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow (G^*E) are calculated from the experimental densities, speeds of sound and viscosities. Excess properties are correlated using the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. The partial molar volumes, \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}} \) and \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}} \), partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,1}} \) and \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,2}} \), excess partial molar volumes, \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{\text{E}} \) and \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}}^{\text{E}} \), and excess partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,1}}^{\text{E}} \) and \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,2}}^{\text{E}} \), over whole composition range, partial molar volumes, \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{ \circ } \) and \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,2}}^{ \circ } \), partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,1}}^{ \circ } \) and \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,2}}^{ \circ } \), excess partial molar volumes, \( \bar{V}_{\text{m,1}}^{{ \circ {\text{E}}}} \) and \( \bar{V}_{{{\text{m}},2}}^{{ \circ {\text{E}}}} \), and excess partial molar isentropic compressibilities, \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,1}}^{{ \circ {\text{E}}}} \) and \( \bar{K}_{\text{s,m,2}}^{{ \circ {\text{E}}}} \), of the components at infinite dilution have also been calculated from the analytically obtained Redlich–Kister polynomials. The excess molar volume V^E results are analyzed using the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory. Analysis of each of the three contributions viz. interactional V^E(int.), free volume V^E(fv.) and characteristic pressure p* to V^E showed that the interactional contributions are positive for all systems while the free volume and characteristic pressure p* contributions are negative for all the binary mixtures. The results are analyzed in terms of attractive forces between 2-methylaniline and carboxylic acids molecules. Good agreement is obtained between excess quantities and spectroscopic data.     

Thermochemical Properties of Dissolution of Nicotinic Acid C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(s) in Aqueous Solution

Nicotinic acid (also known as niacin) was recrystallized from anhydrous ethanol. X-ray crystallography was applied to characterize its crystal structure. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₍₁₎/c. The crystal cell parameters are a = 0.71401(4) nm, b = 1.16195(7) nm, c = 0.71974(6) nm, α = 90°, β = 113.514(3)°, γ = 90° and Z = 4. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound, at different molalities m/(mol·kg^?1) were measured with an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter at T = 298.15 K. The molar enthalpy of solution at infinite dilution was calculated, according to Pitzer’s electrolyte solution model and found to be \( \Delta_{\text{sol}} H_{m}^{\infty } = ( 2 7. 3 \pm 0. 2) \) kJ·mol^?1 and Pitzer’s parameters (\( \beta_{{\text{MX}}}^{{\text{(0)}L}} \), \( \beta_{{\text{MX}}}^{{\text{(1)}L}} \) and \( C_{{\text{MX}}}^{\phi L} \)) were obtained. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies (\( {}^{\phi }L \)) and relative partial molar enthalpies (\( \overline{{L_{2} }} \) and \( \overline{{L_{1} }} \)) of the solute and the solvent at different molalities were derived from the experimental enthalpy of dissolution values of the compound. Also, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the anion \( {\text{C}}_{ 6} {\text{H}}_{ 4} \text{NO}_{2}^{-} \) in aqueous solution was calculated to be \( {\Delta_{\text{f}}^{} H}_{\text{m}}^{\text{o}} ({\text{C}}_{ 6} {\text{H}}_{ 4} {\text{NO}}_{2}^{-} \text{,aq}) = - \left( {603.2 \pm 1.2} \right)\;{\text{kJ}}{\cdot}{\text{mol}}^{-1} \).     

On the structure of discrete spectrum of a non-selfadjoint system of differential equations with integral boundary condition

In this paper, we investigated the spectrum of the operator \(L(\lambda )\) generated in Hilbert Space of vector-valued functions \(L_{2}(\mathbb {R}_{+},C_{2})\) by the system

$$\begin{aligned} iy_{1}^{'}(x,\lambda )+q_{1}(x)y_{2}(x,\lambda )&=\lambda y_{1}(x,\lambda )\\ -iy_{2}^{'}(x,\lambda )+q_{2}(x)y_{1}(x,\lambda )&=\lambda y_{2}(x,\lambda ),x\in \mathbb {R}_{+}:=(0,\infty ), \end{aligned}$$

and the integral boundary condition of the type

$$\begin{aligned} \int _{0}^{\infty }K(x,t)y(t,\lambda ){\mathrm {dt}}+\alpha y_{2}(0,\lambda )-\beta y_{1}(0,\lambda )=0 \end{aligned}$$

where \(\lambda \) is a complex parameter, \(q_{i},\,i=1,2\) are complex-valued functions and \(\alpha ,\beta \in \mathbb {C}\). K(x, t) is vector fuction such that \(K(x,t)=(K_{1}(x,t),K_{2}(x,t)),\,K_{i}(x,t)\in L_{1}(0,\infty )\cap L_{2}(0,\lambda ),\,i=1,2\). Under the condition

$$\begin{aligned} \left| q_{i}(x)\right| \le ce^{-\varepsilon \sqrt{x}},c>0,\varepsilon >0,i=1,2 \end{aligned}$$

we proved that \(L(\lambda )\) has a finite number of eigenvalues and spectral singularities with finite multiplicities.

     

Volumetric Investigations on Molecular Interactions of Glycine/<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-alanine in Aqueous Citric Acid Solutions at Different Temperatures

Apparent molar volumes \((\phi_{V})\) of glycine/l-alanine in water and in aqueous citric acid (CA) solutions of varying concentrations, i.e. (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50) mol·kg^?1 were determined from density measurements at temperatures T?=?(288.15, 298.15, 308.15, 310.15 and 318.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. Limiting partial molar volumes \((\phi_V^{\text{o}})\) and their corresponding partial molar volumes of transfer \((\Delta_{\text{tr}} \phi_{V} )\) have been calculated from the \(\phi_{V}\) data. The negative \(\Delta_{\text{tr}} \phi_{V}\) values obtained for glycine/l-alanine from water to aqueous CA solutions indicate the dominance of hydrophilic–hydrophobic/hydrophobic–hydrophilic and hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions over ion/hydrophilic–dipolar interactions. Further, pair and triplet interaction coefficients, i.e. \((V_{\text{AB}} )\;{\text{and}}\; (V_{\text{ABB}} )\) along with hydration number \((n_{\text{H}} )\) have also been calculated. The effect of temperature on the volumetric properties of glycine/l-alanine in water and in aqueous CA solutions has been determined from the limiting partial molar expansibilities \((\partial \phi_{V}^{\text{o}} /\partial T)_{p}\) and their second-order derivative \((\partial^{2} \phi_{V}^{\text{o}} /\partial T^{2} )_{{P}}\). The apparent specific volumes \((\nu_{\phi} )\) for glycine and l-alanine tend to approach sweet taste behavior both in the presence of water and in aqueous CA solutions. The \(\nu_{\phi}\) values for glycine/l-alanine increase with increase in concentration of CA at all temperatures studied. This reveals that CA helps in enhancing the sweet taste behavior of glycine/l-alanine which also supports the dominance of hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions.     

Analytical and numerical treatment of auxiliary function $${B_{m^\prime m}^j \left(\beta\right)}$$ for finite rotation matrix elements

In this study, a new method evaluate the auxiliary function \({B_{m^\prime m}^j \left( { \beta }\right)}\) which the function appears in the matrix elements \({d_{m^\prime ,m}^j \left( \beta \right)}\) are formulated. Also, the generating functions, Rodrigues’ formula, and orthogonality relationships for the \({B_{m^\prime m}^j \left( { \beta }\right)}\) function are presented. To analyze their formal mathematical structure, \({B_{m^\prime m}^j \left( { \beta } \right)}\) functions are expressed in terms of the Jacobi, Gegenbauer, Legendre, and Chebyshev polynomials. \({B_{m^\prime m}^j \left( { \beta }\right)}\) functions and their linear combinations are calculated numerically for large values of the indices j, m′, m quantum numbers and β angles by using generating function. Finally, evaluating numerical values for them are checked with obtained control expressions and results of Öztekin and Özcan (J Math Chem 44:28, 2008).     

On the derivative of the associated Legendre function of the first kind of integer order with respect to its degree (with applications to the construction of the associated Legendre function of the second kind of integer degree and order)

In our recent works (R. Szmytkowski, J. Phys. A 39:15147, 2006; corrigendum: 40:7819, 2007; addendum: 40:14887, 2007), we have investigated the derivative of the Legendre function of the first kind, P _ν(z), with respect to its degree ν. In the present work, we extend these studies and construct several representations of the derivative of the associated Legendre function of the first kind, \({P_{\nu}^{\pm m}(z)}\), with respect to the degree ν, for \({m \in \mathbb{N}}\). At first, we establish several contour-integral representations of \({\partial P_{\nu}^{\pm m}(z)/\partial\nu}\). They are then used to derive Rodrigues-type formulas for \({[\partial P_{\nu}^{\pm m}(z)/\partial\nu]_{\nu=n}}\) with \({n \in \mathbb{N}}\). Next, some closed-form expressions for \({[\partial P_{\nu}^{\pm m}(z)/\partial\nu]_{\nu=n}}\) are obtained. These results are applied to find several representations, both explicit and of the Rodrigues type, for the associated Legendre function of the second kind of integer degree and order, \({Q_{n}^{\pm m}(z)}\); the explicit representations are suitable for use for numerical purposes in various regions of the complex z-plane. Finally, the derivatives \({[\partial^{2}P_{\nu}^{m}(z)/\partial\nu^{2}]_{\nu=n}, [\partial Q_{\nu}^{m}(z)/\partial\nu]_{\nu=n}}\) and \({[\partial Q_{\nu}^{m}(z)/\partial\nu]_{\nu=-n-1}}\), all with m > n, are evaluated in terms of \({[\partial P_{\nu}^{-m}(\pm z)/\partial\nu]_{\nu=n}}\). The present paper is a complementary to a recent one (R. Szmytkowski, J. Math. Chem 46:231, 2009), in which the derivative \({\partial P_{n}^{\mu}(z)/\partial\mu}\) has been investigated.     

Volumetric,Acoustic and Transport Properties of Metformin Hydrochloride Drug in Aqueous <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Glucose Solutions at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (298.15–318.15) K

Apparent molar volumes, apparent molar adiabatic compressibilities and viscosity B-coefficients for metformin hydrochloride in aqueous d-glucose solutions were determined from solution densities, sound velocities and viscosities measured at T = (298.15–318.15) K and at pressure p = 101 kPa as a function of the metformin hydrochloride concentrations. The standard partial molar volumes (\( \phi_{V}^{0} \)) and slopes (\( S_{V}^{*} \)) obtained from the Masson equation were interpreted in terms of solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions, respectively. Solution viscosities were analyzed using the Jones–Dole equation and the viscosity A and B coefficients discussed in terms of solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions, respectively. Adiabatic compressibility (\( \beta_{s} \)) and apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{{}} \)), limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) and experimental slopes (\( S_{\kappa }^{*} \)) were determined from sound velocity data. The standard volume of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{V}^{0} \)), viscosity B-coefficients of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} B \)) and limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) of metformin hydrochloride from water to aqueous glucose solutions were derived to understand various interactions in the ternary solutions. The activation parameters of viscous flow for the studied solutions were calculated using transition state theory. Hepler’s coefficient \( (d\phi /dT)_{p} \) indicated the structure making ability of metformin hydrochloride in the ternary solutions.     

The mass renormalization for the translational Brownian motion

The damped harmonic oscillator is modeled as a local mode X with mass m and frequency \(\omega _{0}\) immersed in a phonon bath with spectral density function \(j_{0}(\omega \)). This function behaves as \(\omega ^{s}\, (s= 1,2,3,\ldots )\) when \(\omega \rightarrow 0\). The limit \(\omega _{0} = 0\) represents translational (free) Brownian motion. The earlier work (Hakim and Ambegaokar in Phys Rev A 32:423, 1985) concluded that the so defined limit transition is prohibited for spectral densities with \(s<2\). In the present study we demonstrate that a specially constructed preliminary excitation changing the original bath spectrum as \(j_{0}(\omega ) \rightarrow j(\omega )\) allows for treating the free damped motion of X with no restriction for the initial spectrum dimensionality. This procedure validates the finite mass renormalization (i.e. \(m\rightarrow M\) when \(\omega _{0}\rightarrow 0)\) for the conventional bath spectra with \(s=1,2\). We show that the new spectral density \(j(\omega )\) represents the momentum bilinear interaction between mode X and the environmental modes, whereas the conventional function \(j_{0}(\omega )\) is inherent to the case of bilinear coordinate interaction in terms of the same variables. The translational damping kernel is derived based on the new spectral density.     

Bohr Sommerfeld quantisation and molecular potentials

We combine, within the Bohr Sommerfeld quantization rule, a systematic perturbation with asymptotic analysis of the action integral for potentials which support a finite number of bound states with E < 0 to obtain an interpolation formula for the energy eigenvalues. We find interpolation formulae for the Morse potential as well as potentials of the form \({V=V_0 \left[ {\left( {\frac{a}{x}} \right)^{2k}-\left( {\frac{a}{x}}\right)^{k}} \right]}\). For k = 6 i.e. the well known Lennard Jones potential this yields results within 1 per cent of the highly accurate numerical values. For the Morse potential this procedure yields the exact answer. We find that the result for the Morse potential which approaches zero exponentially is the \({k\rightarrow\infty}\) limit of the Lennard Jones class of potentials.     

Vibratio nal assig nme nts,co nformatio nal a nalysis,a nd molecular structures of $$\left[ {\text{C}_{\text{ n}} \text{mim}} \right]\left[ {\text{NTF}_{\text{2}} } \right]$$C nmimNTF2 ( n = 2, 4, 6, a nd 8) imidazolium-based io nic liquids: a combi ned experime ntal a nd qua ntum chemical approach

This work is aimed at providing physical insights about the interactions of cations, anion, and ion pairs of four imidazolium-based ionic liquids of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{\text{n}} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) with varying alkyl chain lengths (n = 2, 4, 6, and 8) using both DFT calculations and vibrational spectroscopic measurements (IR absorption and Raman scattering) in the mid- and far regions. The calculated Mulliken charge distributions of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{\text{n}} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) ion pairs indicate that hydrogen-bonding interactions between oxygen and nitrogen atoms (more negative charge) on \(\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]^{ - }\) anion and the hydrogen atoms (more positive charge) on the imidazolium ring play a dominating role in the formation of ion pair. Thirteen stable conformers of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) were optimized. According to our results, the strongest and weakest hydrogen bonds were existing in \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) and \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), respectively. A redshift of 290, 262, 258, and 257 cm^?1 has been observed for cations involving \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\), \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{4} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\),\(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{6} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\), and stretching vibrations of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\), respectively. By increasing the chain length, the strength of hydrogen bonds decreases as a result of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\) bond elongation and less changes are observed in stretching vibrations of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\) compared to the free cations. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first work which reports the far-IR of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{4} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{6} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), and \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) and the mid-IR of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\).     

Binary self-similar chemical structures

The recursive series \(f_{n+1} =l\cdot f_n +m\cdot f_{n-1} \) (l, m = 1,2,3...) defines the generators of a chain of components L and S, \(\left\{ {\begin{array}{l} L\rightarrow \underbrace{LL{\ldots }L}_l\underbrace{SS{\ldots }S}_m \\ S\rightarrow L \\ \end{array}} \right\} \), such that L and S have a geometric dimension equal to \(d = 0, 1, 2, 3,{\ldots }\). If L, S are the atoms of two different elements A, B (dimension \(d = 0\)) or two self-similar structures with \(d > 0\) that are composed of these elements, then such a generator forms a self-similar binary structure with the dimension \(d+1\) (a quasicrystal), composed of \(\hbox {A}_{x^{\prime }}\hbox {B}\), where \(x^{\prime }\) depends solely on the parameters l and m. In this study, the stoichiometric coefficient \(x^{\prime }\) was calculated for about 20 of such quasicrystals. The generator was found to enable, for certain values of l and m, the formation of structures with degenerate symmetry, that is, the transition from self-similar to translational symmetry. Thus, the generated structures can be divided according to l and m into three groups: structures that contain only one type of homobonds, A–A, with self-similarity as the only permissible symmetry; structures that at least sometimes contain both types of homobonds, A–A and B–B, with self-similarity as the only permissible symmetry; and structures that sometimes show translational symmetry. All of the researched structures in the first group have the same estimated values of internal energy and configuration entropy determined by the isotopic composition. All structures in the second group have the same configuration entropy but different internal energies. In the third group, the configuration entropy of structures that show translational symmetry is lower than that of the self-similar structures. On the other hand, internal energy favours (that is, is lower in) structures with translational symmetry over self-similar structures only when the energy of the A–B bonds is higher than the mean energy of A–A and B–B bonds. In other words, self-similar systems can be energetically more stable compared to crystals as long as the energy of the A–B heterobonds is low. The method for generating self-similar objects proposed in this paper seems to be the first method in which the means of generation do not change with the geometric dimension d of the generated structure.