Cloud of strings in f(R) gravity

We derive the solution for a spherically symmetric string cloud configuration in a d-dimensional spacetime in the framework of f(R) theories of gravity. We also analyze some thermodynamic properties of the joint black hole-cloud of strings solution. For its Hawking temperature, we found that the dependence of the mass with the horizon is significantly different in both theories. For the interaction of a black hole with thermal radiation, we found that the shapes of the curves are similar, but shifted. Our analysis generalizes some known results in the literature.     

Interactions in water-alcohol mixtures: Conductance of lithium picrate in solutions of water and isomeric pentanols at 25°C

Conductance measurements of lithium picrate in solutions of water in n-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol have been carried out at 25°C. Ionic association and conductance were found to change with water content and with the molecular structure of the alcohols (i.e. position of the OH group and degree of branching of the alkyl chain). These results indicate that both conductance and ion pair formation are not the consequence of the simple motion of ions in the electrical field as required by the continuum model. A more realistic approach, involving the internal structure of the solvent mixtures, has been considered.     

A new,simple, green,and one-pot four-component synthesis of bare and poly(α,γ,<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-glutamic acid)-capped silver nanoparticles

A simple and green chemical method has been developed to synthesize stable bare and capped silver nanoparticles based on the reduction of silver ions by glucose and capping by poly(α,γ,l-glutamic acid) (PGA). The use of ammonia during synthesis was avoided. PGA has had a dual role in the synthesis and was used as a capping agent to make the silver nanoparticle more biocompatible and to protect the nanoparticles from agglomerating in the liquid medium. The synthesized PGA-capped silver nanoparticles in the size range 5–45 nm were stable over long periods of time, without signs of precipitation. Morphological examination has shown that the silver nanoparticles had a nearly spherical, multiply twinned structure. The effects of the reaction temperature and the reaction time during the synthesis were investigated too. The biocompatibility of the PGA-capped silver nanoparticles is discussed in terms of in vitro toxicity with human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The samples were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential measurements.     

Application of a Chitosan-Immobilized Talaromyces thermophilus Lipase to a Batch Biodiesel Production from Waste Frying Oils

Waste frying oil, which not only harms people’s health but also causes environmental pollution, can be a good alternative to partially substitute petroleum diesel through transesterification reaction. This oil contained 8.8 % of free fatty acids, which cause a problem in a base-catalyzed process. In this study, synthesis of biodiesel was efficiently catalyzed by the covalently immobilized Talaromyces thermophilus lipase and allowed bioconversion yield up to 92 % after 24 h of reaction time. The optimal molar ratio was four to six parts of methanol to one part of oil with a biocatalyst loaded of 25 wt.% of oil. Further, experiments revealed that T. thermophilus lipase, immobilized by a multipoint covalent liaison onto activated chitosan via a short spacer (glutaraldehyde), was sufficiently tolerant to methanol. In fact, using the stepwise addition of methanol, no significant difference was observed from the one-step whole addition at the start of reaction. The batch biodiesel synthesis was performed in a fixed bed reactor with a lipase loaded of 10 g. The bioconversion yield of 98 % was attained after a 5-h reaction time. The bioreactor was operated successfully for almost 150 h without any changes in the initial conversion yield. Most of the chemical and physical properties of the produced biodiesel meet the European and USA standard specifications of biodiesel fuels.     

From Weakly Coordinating to Non‐Coordinating Anions? A Simple Preparation of the Silver Salt of the Least Coordinating Anion and Its Application To Determine the Ground State Structure of the Ag(η2‐P4)2+ Cation

The unexpected but facile preparation of the silver salt of the least coordinating [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion (R=C(CF₃)₃) by reaction of Ag[Al(OR)₄] with one equivalent of PCl₃ is described. The mechanism of the formation of Ag[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] is explained based on the available experimental data as well as on quantum chemical calculations with the inclusion of entropy and COSMO solvation enthalpies. The crystal structures of (RO)₃Al←OC₄H₈, Cs⁺[(RO)₂(Me)Al‐F‐Al(Me)(OR)₂]^?, Ag(CH₂Cl₂)₃⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? and Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺[(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? are described. From the collected data it will be shown that the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is the least coordinating anion currently known. With respect to the fluoride ion affinity of two parent Lewis acids Al(OR)₃ of 685 kJ mol^?1, the ligand affinity (441 kJ mol^?1), the proton and copper decomposition reactions (?983 and ?297 kJ mol^?1) as well as HOMO level and HOMO–LUMO gap and in comparison with [Sb₄F₂₁]^?, [Sb(OTeF₅)₆]^?, [Al(OR)₄]^? as well as [B(R^F)₄]^? (R^F=CF₃ or C₆F₅) the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion is among the best weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) according to each value. In contrast to most of the other cited anions, the [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃] anion is available by a simple preparation in conventional inorganic laboratories. The least coordinating character of this anion was employed to clarify the question of the ground state geometry of the Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (D_2h, D₂ or D_2d?). In agreement with computational data and NMR spectra it could be shown that the rotation along the Ag‐(P‐P‐centroid) vector has no barrier and that the structure adopted in the solid state depends on packing effects which lead to an almost D_2h symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation (0 to 10.6° torsion) for the more symmetrical [Al(OR)₄]^? anion, but to a D₂ symmetric Ag(η²‐P₄)₂⁺ cation with a 44° twist angle of the two AgP₂ planes for the less symmetrical [(RO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR)₃]^? anion. This implies that silver back bonding, suggested by quantum chemical population analyses to be of importance, is only weak.     

Hair color changes and protein damage caused by ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet and visible radiations are known to damage hair. However, quantitative data relating damage to hair type, proteins and color to the radiation wavelength are missing. We studied the effect of UV plus visible, UVA plus visible, visible mercury-vapor lamp radiation and sunlight on (blended) virgin dark-brown, blond and red hair and (one head) virgin black and curly dark-brown hair. All hair types showed a substantial increase in protein loss in water after lamp and sun irradiation. The damaging effect of UVB was about 2-5 times higher than that of UVA plus visible radiation, depending on the hair type. Significant color changes were also observed in every hair type, after lamp and sun irradiation, being more pronounced for the light colored hairs. The luminosity difference parameter was the major contributor to the hair color changes, but significant changes in the red-green and yellow-blue parameters of every hair were observed. In this case, the damaging effect is ascribable mainly to UVA radiation. No significant changes in the mechanical properties or topography were observed in any case. We discuss these results in terms of hair type and composition and melanin types.