Mass renormalization and runaway solutions

Zeitschrift für Physik B Condensed Matter - The relationship between negative mechanical mass and runaway solutions is studied using the model of a charged spherical shell. The model yields...     

Development of co-continuous morphology in epoxy poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends cured by mixtures of phase-separating and non-phase-separating curing agents

The morphology of a quaternary blend containing a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA), a thermoplastic modifier (PMMA), a phase-separating curing agent (diaminodiphenylmethane, DDM), and a non-phase-separating curing agent (methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline, MCDEA) was studied as a function of volume fraction of the thermoplastic modifier and fractional concentration of the curing agents in their mixture. It was found that using mixtures of curing agents a co-continuous morphology could be obtained at PMMA concentrations as low as 2.5 volume percent. Using FTIR spectroscopy it was proved that specific interactions are present between PMMA and individual amine curing agents. On the other hand, there was no detectable specific interaction between PMMA and DGEBA. By analyzing the micro-indentation hardness data of the cryo-fractured samples and putting forward the intrinsic hardness concept, it was proposed that the co-continuous morphology is inherently more effective than the other morphologies in changing the mechanical properties of the above-mentioned multi-component blends.     

Form factors,branching ratio and forward–backward asymmetry in B→K<Subscript>1</Subscript>ℓ<Superscript>+</Superscript>ℓ<Superscript>-</Superscript> decays

We study long-distance effects in the rare exclusive semileptonic decays B→K₁ℓ⁺ℓ^-, where K₁ is the axial vector meson. The form factors describing the meson transition amplitudes of the effective Hamiltonian are calculated using the Ward identities, which are then used to calculate the branching ratio and the forward–backward asymmetry in these decay modes. The zero of the forward–backward asymmetry is of special interest and provides us with a precision test of the standard model.     

A note on the second problem of Stokes for Maxwell fluids

New exact solutions corresponding to the second problem of Stokes for Maxwell fluids have been established by means of Laplace transforms. For large times, these solutions reduce to the well-known steady-state solutions which are periodic in time and independent of the initial conditions. Furthermore, the transient solutions are in accordance with the previous solutions obtained using the Fourier sine transform. The required time to get the steady-state is determined by graphical illustrations. This time decreases if the frequency of the velocity increases. The effects of the material parameters on the decay of the transients in time are also investigated by graphs.     

The manganese(III) complex with chelating Schiff base ligand: X-ray structure,spectroscopic and computational studies

A new Mn(III) complex, [MnCl(H₂O)(L)]·H₂O·C₂H₅OH, where L = 2,2′-{1,2-phenylenebis[nitrilomethylylidene]}bis(6-methoxyphenolate), has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. There is a good agreement between calculated and experimental structural data. The complex is crystallized in orthorhombic with space group Pbca. The Mn1 atom is coordinated with one Schiff base ligand, one water molecule and one chloride anion, forming a six-coordination number. The electronic and fluorescence spectra of the complex were also studied.     

Ternary and binary copper(II) complexes: synthesis,characterization, ROS-inductive,proteasome inhibitory,and anticancer properties

Three ternary copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)(L-phe)Cl]·2H₂O, [Cu(phen)(L-leu)Cl]·4½H₂O, and [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl]·3H₂O, and four binary copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)Cl₂]_, Cu(L-phe)₂·½H₂O, Cu(L-leu)₂·½H₂O, and Cu(L-tyr)₂·H₂O (where phen = 110-phenanthroline, L-phe = L-phenylalanine, L-tyr = L-tyrosine, L-leu = L-leucine and Cl^- = chloride), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV–visible, fluorescence spectroscopy), magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and lipophilicity measurement. X-ray diffraction determination of a single crystal of [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl] showed two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, each with the same distorted square pyramidal geometry about copper(II). p-Nitrosodimethylaniline assay revealed that the three ternary complexes were better inducers of reactive oxygen species over time than binary complexes, CuCl₂, and free ligands. All the copper(II) complexes in this series inhibited the three proteolytic activities in the order Trypsin-like > Caspase-like > Chymotrypsin-like. In terms of anticancer properties, the copper(II)-phen complexes had GI50 values of less than 4 μM against MCF-7, HepG2, CNE1 and A549 cancer cell lines, more potent than cisplatin.     

DC-Pulsed Plasma for Dry Reforming of Methane to Synthesis Gas

The carbon dioxide reforming of methane to synthesis gas under DC-pulsed plasma was investigated. The effects of specific input energy and feed ratio on the product distribution and also feed conversion was studied. At the input energy of about 11 eV/molecule per methane and/or carbon dioxide the feed conversion of 38% for CH₄ and 28% for CO₂ and product selectivity of 74% has been attained for H₂ and CO at feed flow rate of 90 ml/min. The energy consumption in this work displays potential to further study and optimization of the process. The importance of the electron impact reactions in the process was discussed. The results show that by prudent tuning of system variables, the process be able to run in the way of synthesis gas, instead of hydrocarbon production.     

Characterization of Acid-Induced Partially Folded Conformation Resembling a Molten Globule State of Polygalacturonase from a Filamentous Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetracoccosporium</Emphasis> sp.

Acid-induced unfolding of a Tetracoccosporium sp. polygalacturonase enzyme (PG) was studied by a comprehensive series of biophysical and biochemical techniques. At pH 1.0, PG acquires partially folded state, which reveals characteristics of molten globule (MG) state, i.e., reduction of defined tertiary structure with minimal changes in the secondary structure. In this study PG unfolds exposing its hydrophobic surface to a greater extent than the native form at acidic pH with more tryptophan residues exposed to the solvent. Collectively, our data imply the presence of MG state of PG at low pH, suggesting the phenomenon of hydrophobic collapse model for folding and integration into cell membrane.