Ultraviolet light-induced hydrophilicity effect on TiO2(110)(1 x 1). Dominant role of the photooxidation of adsorbed hydrocarbons causing wetting by water droplets

The UV photoproduction of a hydrophilic TiO(2)(110)(1x1) surface has been investigated in a pressurized ultrahigh vacuum apparatus under controlled conditions of hydrocarbon concentration in oxygen gas at 1 atm pressure. Water droplet contact angles have been measured continuously as the droplet is exposed to UV irradiation, yielding the first observations of a sudden wetting process during irradiation. Using hexane as a model hydrocarbon, it is found that when low partial pressures of hexane are present, the sudden onset of surface wetting occurs during UV irradiation after an induction period under photooxidation conditions. The induction period to reach the critical condition for sudden wetting increases when the partial pressure (and equilibrium surface coverage) of hexane is increased. These results indicate that the removal of adsorbed hydrocarbons by photooxidation is the critical factor leading to the UV-induced hydrophilicity phenomenon on TiO(2). The phenomenon does not occur in the absence of O(2) gas. A concept concerned with kinetic screening of the TiO(2)-H(2)O interface from O(2) by water droplets is presented to explain the observation of sudden wetting in our experiments, compared to gradual wetting which is observed following UV irradiation in all other experiments reported in the literature. Complementary infrared spectroscopy measurements of the effect of UV irradiation in an O(2) atmosphere on adsorbed Ti-OH groups and on adsorbed H(2)O on the surface of a high-area TiO(2) powder show that no spectroscopic changes occur. This indicates that UV-induced changes in the -OH coverage or the nature of -OH bonding to TiO(2), as suggested by others, cannot be used to explain the photoinduced hydrophilicity effect.     

Conjectures and theorems in the theory of entire functions

Motivated by the recent solution of Karlin's conjecture, properties of functions in the Laguerre–Pólya class are investigated. The main result of this paper establishes new moment inequalities for a class of entire functions represented by Fourier transforms. The paper concludes with several conjectures and open problems involving the Laguerre–Pólya class and the Riemann -function.     

Unbiased and biased chemometric analysis of LC-MS data from human urine following coffee intake

We carried out a human volunteer study with 14 participants, eight of whom were asked to consume one cup of coffee at four different time points. Urine samples were collected at eight time points and analyzed by HPLC-MS analysis. The LC-MS data were subjected to unsupervised multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis) followed by supervised multivariate analysis (linear discriminant analysis). In an unbiased approach, in the absence of data preselection and filtering, the most important features explaining differences between coffee consumers and the control group observed showed variations in endogenous human hormonal steroid metabolites as well as xanthine derivatives. Only after a biased data treatment data revealed differences between the sample groups based on literature reported chlorogenic acid metabolites resulting directly from coffee intake. Such analysis could confirm the presence of 21 previously reported chlorogenic acid plasma metabolites as urinary metabolites. The application of tandem MS molecular networking revealed the presence of five bioavailable chlorogenic acid derivatives in urine previously not reported, including both quinic acid lactone and dimethoxy caffeoyl esters. Selected cinnamic acids were quantified in urine.     

UV Radiation Exposure of Outdoor Workers in Antarctica

The Antarctic region is a place of increasing interest. A growing number of personnel are working outdoors in extreme environmental conditions. They receive significant exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and are thereby at increased risk of adverse consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the UVR dose received by the outdoor workers at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base. Ten Caucasian healthy subjects, 8 males and 2 females with a mean age of 38 years (29–51) were enrolled. Of them, 5 were scientists and 5 were logistic workers. We measured the accumulated daily dose of UVR assessed by standard erythemal dose (SED) in the two groups. All subjects wore personal dosimeters located near the face—he only noncovered skin area. The dosimeters were factory calibrated for use in the Antarctic region. No statistical difference (P = 0.441) could be revealed between the SEDs in the two groups. The maximum UVR dose detected in a single day was 67.9 SEDs, and the highest cumulative dose was 548.03 SEDs. Study results are showing extreme measurements of UVR received by the members of the expeditions. We suggest meticulous UV protection for outdoor workers.     

Complexes of copper(II) with the β-blocker atenolol

Mono- and binuclear copper(II) complexes with atenolol (HAt) can be obtained, depending on the reaction conditions. The mononuclear violet complex cation has the general formula Cu(HAt)₄ ²⁺ with an elongated octahedral geometry. The two ligands in the equatorial plane are bound in a bidentate fashion through the hydroxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen, while the other two atenolol molecules in axial position are coordinated in a monodentate way. The binuclear green complex Cu₂At₂Cl₂, is neutral, where atenolol acts as a bidentate (O^–, NH) bridging ligand. The bridge between the two Cu atoms is realized by the deprotonated oxygen of the alcohol group.     

Kinematics of haylage bale in 3D space as a body of one fix point and two rotations

This paper presents mechanical-mathematical matrix simulation of haylage bale kinematics in 3D space as a body of one fix point and two rotations. There are defined: the matrices of transition from the coordinate system connected stationary with the body to the starting (global) coordinate system; the position vector, absolute linear speed and absolute linear acceleration of bale arbitrary point; the vector of absolute angular velocity and absolute angular acceleration projected in the starting and in the local coordinate systems of the body. Numerical example is provided.