Chemometric analysis of heavy metal content for various environmental matrices in terms of their use in biomass thermal processing

Chemometric analysis was performed to determine the heavy metal content, such as Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Fe, in 36 samples of Scots Pine taken from 9 locations within the Upper Silesian Industrial Basin. The samples, after being pre-processed, were examined for the above elements through the use of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The highest concentration of heavy metals was discovered in samples from Jaworzno. Based on the concentration assessment, the relationship between element quantity, sampling location, and matrix type has been determined, and definite element group co-existence has been confirmed and described.      

A type of matrix Padé approximant inspired by scalar component models

In this paper we define a type of matrix Padé approximant inspired by the identification stage of multivariate time series models considering scalar component models. Of course, the formalization of certain properties in the matrix Padé approximation framework can be applied to time series models and in other fields. Specifically, we want to study matrix Padé approximants as follows: to find rational representations (or rational approximations) of a matrix formal power series, with both matrix polynomials, numerator and denominator, satisfying three conditions: (a) minimum row degrees for the numerator and denominator, (b) an invertible denominator at the origin, and (c) canonical representation (without free parameters).     

Accelerated aging and lifetime prediction: Review of non-Arrhenius behaviour due to two competing processes

Lifetime prediction of polymeric materials often requires extrapolation of accelerated aging data with the suitability and confidence in such approaches being subject to ongoing discussions. This paper reviews the evidence of non-Arrhenius behaviour (curvature) instead of linear extrapolations in polymer degradation studies. Several studies have emphasized mechanistic variations in the degradation mechanism and demonstrated changes in activation energies but often data have not been fully quantified. To improve predictive capabilities a simple approach for dealing with curvature in Arrhenius plots is examined on a basis of two competing reactions. This allows for excellent fitting of experimental data as shown for some elastomers, does not require complex kinetic modelling, and individual activation energies are easily determined. Reviewing literature data for the thermal degradation of polypropylene a crossover temperature (temperature at which the two processes equally contribute) of 83 °C was determined, with the high temperature process having a considerably higher activation energy (107–156 kJ/mol) than the low temperature process (35–50 kJ/mol). Since low activation energy processes can dominate at low temperatures and longer extrapolations result in larger uncertainties in lifetime predictions, experiments focused on estimating E_a values at the lowest possible temperature instead of assuming straight line extrapolations will lead to more confident lifetime estimates.     

An ESR investigation of triple ions derived from 1,2,4,5-tetramesitoylbenzene

Stable triple ions were obtained in MTHF solution from the ion pairs of 1,2,4,5-tetramesitoylbenzene (TMB) radical anion and alkali metal cations by reaction with soluble alkali metal salts. Their ESR spectra are highly resolved. MO calculations with parameters which lead to spin density values as nearly as possible equal to the experimental ones allow estimates of the oxygen-metal distances. The relatively most stable triple ions are the ones with the smallest estimated oxygen metal distances.     

Chemical composition and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from leaves of Eugenia platysema

This study describes the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition and evaluates the antibacterial activity of essential oil from Eugenia platysema leaves. Analysis by GC–FID and GC–MS allowed the identification of 22 compounds. Different from the other species of the Eugenia genus, the major compound found in the essential oil was the diterpene phytol (66.05%), being this the first report of the presence of this compound in the essential oils from Eugenia genus. The sesquiterpene elixene was the second most concentrated compound in the studied essential oil (9.16%). The essential oil from E. platysema was tested for its antibacterial activity against cell-walled bacteria and mollicute strains of clinical interest using the microdilution broth assay. The results showed that the essential oil of E. platysema was inactive until 1000 μg mL^?1 against tested bacteria.     

Review of polymer oxidation and its relationship with materials performance and lifetime prediction

All polymers are intrinsically susceptible to oxidation, which is the underlying process for thermally driven materials degradation and of concern in various applications. There are many approaches for predicting oxidative polymer degradation. Aging studies usually are meant to accelerate oxidation chemistry for predictive purposes. Kinetic models attempt to describe reaction mechanisms and derive rate constants, whereas rapid qualification tests should provide confidence for extended performance during application, and similarly TGA tests are meant to provide rapid guidance for thermal degradation features. What are the underlying commonalities or diverging trends and complications when we approach thermo-oxidative aging of polymers in such different ways? This review presents a brief status report on the important aspects of polymer oxidation and focuses on the complexity of thermally accelerated polymer aging phenomena. Thermal aging and lifetime prediction, the importance of DLO, property correlations, kinetic models, TGA approaches, and a framework for predictive aging models are briefly discussed. An overall perspective is provided showing the challenges associated with our understanding of polymer oxidation as it relates to lifetime prediction requirements.     

Electron beam accelerators—trends in radiation processing technology for industrial and environmental applications in Latin America and the Caribbean

The radiation processing technology for industrial and environmental applications has been developed and used worldwide. In Latin America and the Caribbean and particularly in Brazil there are 24 and 16 industrial electron beam accelerators (EBA) respectively with energy from 200 keV to 10 MeV, operating in private companies and governmental institutions to enhance the physical and chemical properties of materials. However, there are more than 1500 high-current electron beam accelerators in commercial use throughout the world. The major needs and end-use markets for these electron beam (EB) units are R and D, wire and electric cables, heat shrinkable tubes and films, PE foams, tires, components, semiconductors and multilayer packaging films. Nowadays, the emerging opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean are paints, adhesives and coatings cure in order to eliminate VOCs and for less energy use than thermal process; disinfestations of seeds; and films and multilayer packaging irradiation. For low-energy EBA (from 150 keV to 300 keV). For mid-energy EBA (from 300 keV to 5 MeV), they are flue gas treatment (SO₂ and NO_X removal); composite and nanocomposite materials; biodegradable composites based on biorenewable resources; human tissue sterilization; carbon and silicon carbide fibers irradiation; irradiated grafting ion-exchange membranes for fuel cells application; electrocatalysts nanoparticles production; and natural polymers irradiation and biodegradable blends production. For high-energy EBA (from 5 MeV to 10 MeV), they are sterilization of medical, pharmaceutical and biological products; gemstone enhancement; treatment of industrial and domestic effluents and sludge; preservation and disinfestations of foods and agricultural products; soil disinfestations; lignocellulosic material irradiation as a pretreatment to produce ethanol biofuel; decontamination of pesticide packing; solid residues remediation; organic compounds removal from wastewater; and treatment of effluent from petroleum production units and liquid irradiation process to treat vessel water ballast. On the other hand, there is a growing need of mobile EB facilities for different applications in South America.     

Benzylic coupling constants in toluene derivatives by J doubling in the frequency domain and DFT calculations

The recently modified J doubling in the frequency domain method (MJDFDM) allowed the determination of ^{4, 5, 6}J in toluene, a series of 4‐mono‐ and 3,5‐disubstituted toluene derivatives, as well as in 4‐picoline. The methyl and aromatic signals were subjected to successive deconvolution processes, which at the end led to singlet signals and afforded the corresponding coupling constant values with a high degree of accuracy. Density functional theory calculation of benzylic coupling constants by addition of the Fermi contact, the spin‐dipole, the diamagnetic spin‐orbit, and the paramagnetic spin‐orbit terms revealed good agreement between predicted and measured values when the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory was used. Evaluation of the substituent effect over the coupling constant was made for all studied compounds and some limitations of the methodology were evidenced. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.