Novel acrylic macromonomer with amphiphilic character derived from Triton X‐100: Radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate and thermal properties

This article explores the synthesis of a novel methacrylic macromonomer with an amphiphilic character derived from poly(ethylene glycol) tert‐octylphenyl ether (MT) and its respective homopolymer. To know their reactivity in radical copolymerization reactions with methyl methacrylate (MMA), a model monomer (MTm) was synthesized to determine the reactivity ratios and compare them with the low molar fractions of copolymers of MT with MMA because they were difficult to isolate. They were r_MTm = 0.97 and r_MMA = 0.95. The compositional diagrams when representing the weight fraction of MT and MTm in the feed and the copolymer suggested that a clear correlation exists between the experimental points of the model monomer MTm and the macromonomer MT ones, suggesting that the length of the side poly(ethylene oxide) chain does not affect the reactivity of the methacrylic double bond in the prepared monomers for this type of polymerization reaction. The reactivity ratios of the copolymers have a tendency for the formation of random or Bernoullian copolymers. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the prepared copolymers were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, deviated from the Fox equation, and discussed on the basis of treatments that consider the influence of the monomeric units along the copolymer chains, determining the T_g of the corresponding alternating dyads. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1641–1649, 2003     

Chemometric approaches in environmental problems concerning PCDD and PCDF. Data interpretation and source correlation. Mechanisms of formation and destruction in MSW combustion process

Summary The role of multivariate analysis methods in evaluating, rationalizing, and working out complex environmental problems is discussed. The discussion is organized in two sections; a literature analysis of the application of chemometric methods to PCDD/PCDF data interpretation and source correlation and a review of the role of chemometric methods in analysing the results obtained by the Authors studying PCDD/PCDF formation and destruction mechanisms in MSW combustion processes.     

The crystal structure of the inorganic surface films formed on Mg and Li intercalation compounds and the electrode performance

A crystallographic approach was applied to elucidate the influence of the nature of the surface films on the electrochemical behavior of Li and Mg intercalation compounds. This paper presents two examples: (1) protection of graphite electrodes by Li₂CO₃ surface films, and (2) the unique electrochemical behavior of Mg-containing Chevrel phases (MgCP) obtained by different synthetic routes. In the former case, the elucidation of the protection mechanism and the explanation of the high performance of such protected electrodes are based on the analysis of possible Li-ion motion in the carbonate crystal structure. In the latter case, a combination of synthesis, electrochemistry and XRD analysis was used to explain an unusual phenomenon: the difference between the excellent electrochemical behavior of the Chevrel phase (CP) based on Cu-leached Cu₂Mo₆S₈ (CuCP), and the poor electrochemical activity of the high-temperature synthesized MgCP, with the same phase composition. It is shown that this phenomenon is caused by MgO formation on the surface of the latter material. The different surface chemistry of the MgCPs obtained by the two different synthetic routes was substantiated by revealing the correlation between the electrochemical activity and the chemical stability of these materials under ambient atmosphere conditions. Dedicated to Prof. Mikhail A. Vorotyntsev on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

On the electronic states of macrocycles of the extended porphyrin family and their coordination compounds

The electronic absorption spectra of Ni, Zn and Mg hemiporphyrazine derivatives are presented and discussed together with theoretical results obtained by INDO/S computations. The absorption spectra of all the metal derivatives show marked red shifts of the lowest energy absorption bands with respect to those of the metal free hemiporphyrazine. The possible explanation that in metal derivatives low lying excited states with a fully conjugated π electron system are present is supported by theoretical computations.     

Synthesis of a silk-inspired peptide-oligothiophene conjugate

The first example of an oligothiophene-peptide conjugate, which was obtained by solid-phase acylation of a resin-bound silk-inspired oligopeptide sequence with a carboxylic acid functionalized regioregular tetra(3-hexylthiophene) derivative, is reported.     

Properties of Ce–Zr–La–O nano-system with ruthenium modified surface

Structural peculiarities of Ce–Zr–La–O and Ce–Zr–La–O/Ru samples in mean of catalytic properties are compared. The samples (Ce:Zr = 1:1, La = 10÷30 mol.%, Ru = 1.5 wt.%) were obtained by sol–gel method (X-samples) and co-precipitation (P-samples). It is shown that Ce_0.45Zr_0.45La_0.1O_2−δ/Ru X-samples are characterized by high thermal stability and the highest catalytic activity in partial methane oxidation reaction. According to XRD, BET, FTIR, EPR and XPS data it is concluded that the difference in the samples catalytic activity is caused by various disposition of Ru-containing phase on the support surface. The distinction in the dimension of Ru-containing particles (3D or 2D) is conditioned by structural peculiarities of Ce_0.45Zr_0.45La_0.1O_2−δ and Ce_0.35Zr_0.35La_0.3O_2−δ P- and X-samples.     

Critical Analysis of Hypothesis Tests in Federal Information Processing Standard (140-2)

This work presents an analysis of the existing dependencies between the tests of the FIPS 140-2 battery. Two main analytical approaches are utilized, the first being a study of correlations through the Pearson’s correlation coefficient that detects linear dependencies, and the second one being a novel application of the mutual information measure that allows detecting possible non-linear relationships. In order to carry out this study, the FIPS 140-2 battery is reimplemented to allow the user to obtain p-values and statistics that are essential for more rigorous end-user analysis of random number generators (RNG).     

Exploration of the Crystal Structure and Thermal and Spectroscopic Properties of Monoclinic Praseodymium Sulfate Pr2(SO4)3

Praseodymium sulfate was obtained by the precipitation method and the crystal structure was determined by Rietveld analysis. Pr₂(SO₄)₃ is crystallized in the monoclinic structure, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 21.6052 (4), b = 6.7237 (1) and c = 6.9777 (1) Å, β = 107.9148 (7)°, Z = 4, V = 964.48 (3) ų (T = 150 °C). The thermal expansion of Pr₂(SO₄)₃ is strongly anisotropic. As was obtained by XRD measurements, all cell parameters are increased on heating. However, due to a strong increase of the monoclinic angle β, there is a direction of negative thermal expansion. In the argon atmosphere, Pr₂(SO₄)₃ is stable in the temperature range of T = 30–870 °C. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition process of praseodymium sulfate octahydrate Pr₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O was studied as well. The vibrational properties of Pr₂(SO₄)₃ were examined by Raman and Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy methods. The band gap structure of Pr₂(SO₄)₃ was evaluated by ab initio calculations, and it was found that the valence band top is dominated by the p electrons of oxygen ions, while the conduction band bottom is formed by the d electrons of Pr³⁺ ions. The exact position of ZPL is determined via PL and PLE spectra at 77 K to be at 481 nm, and that enabled a correct assignment of luminescent bands. The maximum luminescent band in Pr₂(SO₄)₃ belongs to the ³P₀ → ³F₂ transition at 640 nm.     

Efficacy of Biologically Active Food Supplements for People with Atherosclerotic Vascular Changes

The current paper deals with the development of a new biologically active food supplement (BAFS) aimed at treating atherosclerosis. Since atherosclerosis is considered to be a disease of aging, the composition of the supplement includes such essential minerals as magnesium and potassium, which are commonly used to prevent atherosclerosis, as well as vitamins C, E and the B-group vitamins in order to address the needs of the elderly. The authors outline the supplement-manufacturing technology and discuss the clinical trial undertaken by patients, aged about 60 years, with peripheral atherosclerosis. The research methodology focuses on studying the effectiveness of the developed supplement by assessing the influence of the active ingredients on treating metabolic disorders. To establish the efficacy of the supplement, blood tests, ultrasound and physical examinations were applied. The combination therapy resulted in improved metabolism and an overall better performance of the cardiovascular system; therefore, the BASF can be recommended as part of combination therapy to prevent and treat atherosclerotic and age-related changes in blood vessels.