On Galois representations for abelian varieties with complex and real multiplications

In this paper, we study the image of l-adic representations coming from Tate module of an abelian variety defined over a number field. We treat abelian varieties with complex and real multiplications. We verify the Mumford-Tate conjecture for a new class of abelian varieties with real multiplication.     

Catalytic aminolysis of acrylic copolymers in solution and in the melt. I. Mechanism and kinetics

The aminolysis of poly(styrene-co-methyl acrylate) (SMA) by octadecylamine was studied in solution and in the melt at temperatures around 200°C. This reaction is rather slow, so several types of catalysts were tested to accelerate it. The most efficient is 2-pyridone, a compound in tautomeric equilibrium with 2-hydroxypyridine. A mechanism of the catalytic reaction is proposed whereby the tautomeric nature of the catalyst plays a key role in a very important step of the reaction, namely the proton transfer. This mechanism is confirmed by the kinetic data determined in a 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene solution and in the melt. In addition, it was found that the kinetic data obtained in both media are very close, indicating no significant difference of local polarity in the two reaction media. Data also show only a minor effect due to difference in viscosity. Finally, the question of the homogeneity of the molten medium is discussed.     

Transition Metal Ion-binding Properties of a 14-Membered N2O2S2- Macrobicyclic Ligand

The selective liquid–liquid extraction of various transition metal cations from the aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out using a 14-membered N₂O₂S₂-macrobicycle. Metal picrates such as Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺,Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were used in this extraction studies. It was found that the ligand showed moderate selectivity towards Pb²⁺ only among the other metals. The extraction constant (log K _ex) was determined to be 13.8 for Pb²⁺ complex.     

Low-temperature ordering effects in diblock copolymer melts from lattice simulation

A lattice simulation of a model diblock copolymer melt is presented. In a series of simulation experiments an 8-8 diblock melt is quenched from an athermal state to 47 lower temperatures. A set of simulation boxes, 30 x 32 x 30, 40 x 32 x 60, 50 x 32 x 30, and 60 x 32 x 30, is used in order to explore the size effects. Energy, specific heat, copolymer end-to-end distance, lamellar spacing, and the degree of interfacial ordering are reported. For all sizes considered, the low-temperature interfacial ordering is noticeable.     

Front Cover: Can Nanoplastics Alter Cell Membranes? (ChemPhysChem 1/2020)

Whilst the formation of plastic nanoparticles (nanoplastics) from plastic wastes has been unequivocally evidenced, little is known about the effects of these materials on living organisms at the subcellular or molecular levels. In the present contribution we show through molecular dynamics simulations that polyethylene nanoparticles dissolve in the hydrophobic core of lipid bilayers into a network of disentangled, single polymeric chains. The thereby induced structural and dynamic changes in the bilayer alter vital functions of the cell membrane, which if lacking a mechanism to decompose the polymer chains may result in the death of the cell.     

Coexistence of Tellurium Cations and Anions in Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquids

Elemental tellurium readily dissolves in ionic liquids (ILs) based on tetraalkylphosphonium cations even at temperatures below 100 °C. In the case of ILs with acetate, decanoate, or dicyanamide anions, dark red to purple colored solutions form. A study combining NMR, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy revealed the formation of tellurium anions (Te_n)²⁻ with chain lengths up to at least n=5, which are in dynamic equilibrium with each other. Since external influences could be excluded and no evidence of an ionic liquid reaction was found, disproportionation of the tellurium is the only possible dissolution mechanism. Although the spectroscopic detection of tellurium cations in these solutions is difficult, the coexistence of tellurium cations, such as (Te₄)²⁺ and (Te₆)⁴⁺, and tellurium anions could be proven by cyclic voltammetry and electrodeposition experiments. DFT calculations indicate that electrostatic interactions with the ions of the ILs are sufficient to stabilize both types of tellurium ions in solution.     

Hydrogen Bonding and Vaporization Thermodynamics in Hexafluoroisopropanol-Acetone and -Methanol Mixtures. A Joined Cluster Analysis and Molecular Dynamic Study

Binary mixtures of hexafluoroisopropanol with either methanol or acetone are analyzed via classical molecular dynamics simulations and quantum cluster equilibrium calculations. In particular, their populations and thermodynamic properties are investigated with the binary quantum cluster equilibrium method, using our in-house code Peacemaker 2.8, upgraded with temperature-dependent parameters. A novel approach, where the final density from classical molecular dynamics, has been used to generate the necessary reference isobars. The hydrogen bond network in both type of mixtures at molar fraction of hexafluoroisopropanol of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 respectively is investigated via the molecular dynamics trajectories and the cluster results. In particular, the populations show that mixed clusters are preferred in both systems even at 0.2 molar fractions of hexafluoroisopropanol. Enthalpies and entropies of vaporization are calculated for the neat and mixed systems and found to be in good agreement with experimental values.     

Analysis of the vibrations due to thermal deflection of the drum in the coiling process

The modelling of the coiling process involves a mechanical model of the dynamic system that consists of the rotating coiling drum and the axially and transversally moving strip. Due to the coiling a change of mass in the system takes place. For such a variable mass system a control volume concept has to be introduced in order to get the equations of motion of the dynamic system with variable parameters. A Runge Kutta time integration algorithm is applied to compute the solution. It is assumed that the outer radius of the coiling drum increases linear with the rotation angle. The bending deflection of the shaft results from an inhomogeneous temperature distribution within the coiled material on the coiling drum. Two different boundary conditions of the moving strip have been considered and it is demonstrated that the thermal deflection of the drum has a high influence upon the fluctuation of the strip force. For a given geometry and strip speed we obtain a critical thermal deflection where the minimum strip tension force is zero. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)