Microwave‐improved polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone initiated by carboxylic acids

The ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL), initiated by carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid and chlorinated acetic acids under microwave irradiation, was investigated; with this method, no metal catalyst was necessary. The product was characterized as poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The polymerization was significantly improved under microwave irradiation. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) of PCL reached 44,800 g/mol, with a polydispersity index [weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (M_w/M_n)] of 1.6, when a mixture of ε‐CL and benzoic acid (25/1 molar ratio) was irradiated at 680 W for 240 min, whereas PCL with M_w = 12,100 and M_w/M_n = 4.2 was obtained from the same mixture by a conventional heating method at 210 °C for 240 min. A degradation of the resultant PCL was observed during microwave polymerization with chlorinated acetic acids as initiators, and this induced a decrease in M_w of PCL. However, the degradation was hindered by benzoic acid at low concentrations. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 13–21, 2003     

Fluorescent humic substances–arsenic complex in well water in areas where blackfoot disease is endemic in Taiwan

The relationship between the four components, (1) fluorescence intensity, (2) arsenic concentration, (3) pH and (4) total dissolved solids, (TDS) measured in well waters from areas in Taiwan where blackfoot disease (BFD) is endemic was studied, as well as the relationships between the four degrees of BFD and each of the above four symptomatic components, in order to evaluate the etiological factors of BFD more progressively. The following 95% confidence intervals were obtained in well water samples (n = 1189): fluorescence intensity, 26.837–32.570; arsenic concentration, 0.103–0.127 mg dm^?3; pH, 7.466–7.519; and TDS 733.063–801.647 mg dm^?3. Fluorescence intensities of the four degrees of BFD were not all the same (F = 64.54, P < 0.001), and nor were arsenic concentrations (F = 72.03, P < 0.001), pH values (F = 7.30, P < 0.001), nor TDS values (F = 10.76, P < 0.001). In addition, multiple comparisons indicate that the higher the epidemical degree, the higher the fluorescence intensities, arsenic concentrations and pH values become; however, such a relationship is not found for TDS values. Moreover, the fluorescence intensities have positive linear correlations with arsenic concentrations (r = 0.49, P < 0.001), pH (r = 0.25, P < 0.001), and TDS (r = 0.18, P < 0.001), as do the arsenic concentrations with pH (r = 0.22, P < 0.001). Of the four epidemical degree groups, pairs are not significantly different from one another in correlation coefficients between fluorescence intensity and arsenic concentration, which implies a steady relationship between fluorescent compounds and arsenic. We conclude that fluorescent compounds in well water, as possible etiological factors of BFD, are closely related to arsenic along with pH and TDS values in the areas where BFD is endemic. In addition, we infer that a complex is formed by fluorescent compounds, arsenic and other metals.     

Meromorphic functions connected with polylogarithms

M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Translated from Funktsional'nyi Analiz i Ego Prilozheniya, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 88–91, January–March, 1991.     

Study on reproductive endocrinology of human placenta (III)--Hormonal regulation of progesterone production by trophoblast tissue of first trimester.

The effect of hormones on progesterone secretion by 6-8 week human trophoblast tissue cultured in serum-free medium has been investigated. GnRH at low concentration (10(-10)-10(-8) mol/L) stimulated progesterone secretion, while high dose (10(-6)-10(-5) mol/L) produced inhibitory effect. The progesterone secretion could be significantly decreased by addition of anti-hCG antiserum or monoclonal anti-hCG IgG in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Various concentrations of TRH, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, testosterone and estradiol were found to be ineffective. These data indicate clearly that progesterone production by human trophoblast tissue at early gestation stage is under the modulation of GnRH and hCG.     

Trefftz,collocation, and other boundary methods—A comparison

In this article we survey the Trefftz method (TM), the collocation method (CM), and the collocation Trefftz method (CTM). We also review the coupling techniques for the interzonal conditions, which include the indirect Trefftz method, the original Trefftz method, the penalty plus hybrid Trefftz method, and the direct Trefftz method. Other boundary methods are also briefly described. Key issues in these algorithms, including the error analysis, are addressed. New numerical results are reported. Comparisons among TMs and other numerical methods are made. It is concluded that the CTM is the simplest algorithm and provides the most accurate solution with the best numerical stability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007     

A symmetry-adapted force-constant lattice-dynamical model for single-walled carbon nanotubes

We develop a lattice-dynamical model based on the screw symmetry of single-walled carbon nanotubes that allows for reducing the size of the dynamical matrix to six, for all tube chiralities. The model uses force constants derived from fitting to the phonon dispersion of 2D graphite. We present the calculation procedure in a clear and transparent way, making the model easier to follow. We calculate the phonon dispersions of a number of nanotubes of different chiralities. The splitting of two highest Raman active modes and the radial breathing mode frequency are studied by changing the tube diameter and chirality.     

Expert systems for HPLC in biochemistry—The knowledge base for selection of HPLC column system in the separation of amino acids,peptides and proteins

The strategy of expert system for high performance liquid chromatography was discussed, the attentions are mainly placed on the knowledge base for selection of column system, separation modes and detection modes in the analysis of amino acids, peptides and proteins.     

On the law of corresponding states for thermodynamic properties of a crystal

To study thermodynamic similarity of the properties of crystalline substances, we propose an approach connected with engaging of the metastable state region. Internal pressure and specific volume on the crystal’s stability boundary at T = 0 K are used as characteristic scales of thermodynamic variables. A semiempirical method of calculation of the stability boundary by the thermodynamic data related to the stable states region of a solid body is described. In the cases of argon and natrium, the stability boundary is calculated for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Analysis of the properties of neon, argon, krypton, and xenon crystals in these variables indicates that the law of corresponding states holds for these substances.     

Applications of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS) to organometallic and coordination chemistry

This article describes the technique of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS) and its applications to the analysis of organometallic and coordination complexes. Sections on ion generation and matrices are followed by a Periodic Group-based review of FAB MS results obtained from Transition Metal and Main Group compounds, organometallic cluster carbonyls and their derivatives, and salts of poly-oxo-anions. The literature has been surveyed from 1981 to approximately mid-1986.