Reflected BSDEs with regulated trajectories

We consider reflected backward stochastic different equations with optional barrier and so-called regulated trajectories, i.e. trajectories with left and right finite limits. We prove existence and uniqueness results. We also show that the solution corresponds to the value of an optimal stopping problem and may be approximated by a modified penalization method.     

Optimisation of sample pre-treatment method for the determination of triclosan in marine sediments by high-performance liquid chromatography and marine benthic quality assessment in the southern Baltic Sea

This study comprises optimisation of sample preparation and HPLC analytical procedure for the determination of a personal care product ingredient, triclosan (TCS), in marine sediments. The testing of several varying pre-treatment parameters confirmed that ultrasonic extraction is an effective method for the isolation of TCS from marine sediments, and that the choice of extraction solvent appeared to be of major importance. The selection of the mobile-phase composition and the absorption wavelength was made for the high-performance liquid chromatography analysis step. Based on the validated method, a preliminary assessment of the benthic ecosystem quality with regards to TCS contamination has been demonstrated in the southern Baltic Sea – a semi-enclosed sea, characterised by poor water exchange, thus particularly susceptible to anthropopression. TCS has been identified and quantified in situ in marine bottom sediments, sediment dwelling isopod – Saduria entomon L. and estimated in silico in pore waters based on the equilibrium partition theory in order to assess the potential exposure and uptake from the aqueous phase. TCS concentrations identified in the bottom sediments of the Gdansk Basin, as the natural habitat for studied S.entomon L., appear to be threatening to the benthic environment. Particularly when considering S. entomon L. as a major nutrition source for cod (Gadus morhua) undergoing the feminisation process, since the recent studies prove TCS to have a potential to induce critical alterations in the endocrine system of marine ichthyofauna.     

Monte-Carlo Simulation of Energy Migration in Uniaxially Oriented Polymer Films

Nonradiative electronic energy migration between identical fluorophores is studied numerically in uniaxially oriented polymer films. The reorientation effect of dipole moments induced by film stretching leads to extremely different concentration- and time-courses of emission anisotropy compared to those in disordered system. In particular, the effect of a much weaker concentration depolarization of fluorescence is due to the fact that not only primarily excited molecules contribute to emission anisotropy in oriented films.     

Existence of solutions for hyperbolic hemivariational inequalities

In this paper we study a hyperbolic hemivariational inequality with a nonlinear, pseudomonotone operator depending on the derivative of an unknown function and a linear, monotone operator depending on an unknown function. Using the surjectivity result for L-pseudomonotone operators, an existence result for such inequalities is proved.     

Anodic alumina membranes with defined pore diameters and thicknesses obtained by adjusting the anodizing duration and pore opening/widening time

The through-hole porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes were fabricated by a simple two-step anodization of aluminum in 0.3 M oxalic acid, 0.3 M sulfuric acid, and 2 wt.% phosphoric acid solutions under different operating conditions followed by the removal of the remaining Al substrate and the pore opening/widening process. The effect of duration of the second anodizing step on the thickness of the porous oxide layer and the influence of other anodizing conditions such as applied voltage, type of electrolyte, and purity of the substrate on the rate of porous oxide growth were discussed in detail. The pore opening procedure for all synthesized membranes was optimized, and the influence of the duration of chemical etching on structural features of AAO membranes, especially pore diameter, was studied. The rate of pore widening was established for AAO membranes formed in various anodizing electrolytes and for different temperatures of 5 wt.% H₃PO₄ used for alumina dissolution.

     

Mechanism of the Reaction of Nucleophiles >P-O− with the C-Br Bond. Bromophosphate as an Intermediate

Abstract

The reaction of the ions >P-O^? and >P-S^? with a-bromocarboxylic esters proceeds through the nucleophilic displacement on bromine which results in the release of an enol anion as a nucleofuge.     

Modeling 21Ne NMR parameters for carbon nanosystems

The potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique in probing the structure of porous systems including carbon nanostructures filled with inert gases is analysed theoretically using accurate calculations of neon (²¹Ne) nuclear magnetic shieldings. The CBS estimates of ²¹Ne NMR parameters were performed for single atom, its dimer and neon interacting with acetylene, ethylene and 1,3‐cyclopentadiene. Several levels of theory including restricted Hartree‐Fock (RHF), Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2), density functional theory (DFT) with van Voorhis and Scuseria's t‐dependent gradient‐corrected correlation functional (VSXC), coupled cluster with single and doubles excitations (CCSD), with single, doubles and triples included in a perturbative way (CCSD(T)) and single, doubles and tripes excitations (CCSDT) combined with polarization‐consistent aug‐pcS‐n series of basis sets were employed. The impact of neon confinement inside selected fullerene cages used as an NMR probe was studied at the RHF/pcS‐2 level of theory. A sensitivity of neon probe to the proximity of multiple CC bonds in C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₅H₆ and inside C₂₈, C₃₀, C₃₂, C₃₄ and C₆₀ fullerenes was predicted from ²¹Ne NMR parameters' changes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of Blue Honeysuckle Powder Obtained by an Innovative Method of Low-Temperature Drying in Skincare Face Masks

Traditional technologies applied for obtaining plant raw materials for cosmetic production are based primarily on high-level processing, which is reflected in the qualitative composition of the resulting materials. By using low-temperature drying, it is possible to retain in the raw materials a range of valuable ingredients. In this study, blue honeysuckle powder was used as an ingredient of cosmetic face masks. The stability of the masks was evaluated. Dynamic viscosity, yield point and texture analysis of the cosmetics was performed. The color of the emulsions and the level of skin hydration after face mask application was determined. Emulsions were found to be stable. A decrease in dynamic viscosity of the emulsions as a function of increasing concentrations of the additive and under the conditions of rising rotational speed were observed. Similarly, an increase in the concentration of blue honeysuckle in the emulsions resulted in a decrease in the value of the yield point. Based on the results, it can be stated that the addition of blue honeysuckle caused a decrease in hardness of the masks, while the opposite trend was observed for adhesive force. It was found that an increase in the concentration of blue honeysuckle gave a reddish-yellow color to the samples. Corneometric assessment confirmed proper skin hydration after the application of the emulsions.